Anti-Badger cull protest to take place in Shrewsbury today

The protest march begins at the main gates of the The Quarry at 1pm before those gathered march through the town centre.

Those attending the march will hear speeches given by Jim Ashley, from the Shropshire Badger Group, wildlife campaigner Drew Pratten, Tosca Cabello-Tason from GABS and Dominic Dyer from Care for the Wild.

The trial culls in Gloucestershire and West Somerset gained much media attention and debate.

The Somerset cull came to an end on November 1, with just 65 per cent of the total number of badgers being shot, even after a revision of figures by ministers - the target was 70 per cent. The pilot in Gloucestershire was granted an eight-week extension in October after also failing to meet its target by an even greater margin, with just 30 per cent of the population there being killed by marksmen.

Follow our twitter account @shropshirelive for updates during the march.

Protesters against the badger cull are gathering in The Quarry for a peaceful march around Shrewsbury. #stopthecull https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432134304324673536

Many people attending the #stopthecull protest in Shrewsbury have brought banners. pic.twitter.com/QibaF7eR1Z https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432135936802299904

The #shrewsbury #stopthecull march leaves The Quarry. pic.twitter.com/YxhEkBLsKd https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432137443375325184

Protesters are heading down Smithfield road, #stopthecull pic.twitter.com/xwCLSMYMtN https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432138913344671745

#stopthecull #shrewsbury speeches will be heard in The Square. https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432141077257408512

The #stopthecull march is now making its way up Castle Street pic.twitter.com/UQFDY9fdar https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432141745468755968

#stopthecull #shrewsbury march is now on Dogpole about to head into High Street. pic.twitter.com/LWp8d46sHm https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432144488619081728

The march has stopped in The Square although it seems to have lost a lot of people! #stopthecull pic.twitter.com/mCR7u3CjFc https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432147355333558272

@vintagechairs Not sure what happened they have got split up. People wondering what's happening. https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432147845949693952

The rest of the #stopthecull protesters are now arriving in The Square pic.twitter.com/jhuqQxek1h https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432148708252463105

#shrewsbury #stopthecull speeches heard many people dispersing. Videos on @shropshirelive later. https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432159304263929856

Some protesters now heading to Shirehall. But that's it from us. #stopthecull https://twitter.com/shropshirelive/statuses/432159305820020736