MORE than 250 campaigners marched through Colchester to protest against badger culling.

The group gathered outside Colchester Castle on Saturday and went around the town before returning to Castle Park, where there were several speakers.

They were protesting against fresh badger culls due in Gloucester and Somerset.

Renee Hockley-Byam, chairman of the North East Essex Badger Group, said: “There were lots more people than expected and as we went round the town, bystanders were coming out of shops and giving us the thumbs-up.

“We had a very moving speech from a chap from Somerset telling us how it took three shots and ten minutes for one badger to die.”