AS badger culling applications for Dorset are being considered for the autumn, a funding grant has allowed a vaccination programme for the animals to continue after 2015.

Farmers groups in the county, Devon and Hertfordshire, all hotspots for bovine TB, have submitted applications to Natural England and the third year of pilot culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire are due to re-start in the next few months.

However the Dorset Badger Vaccination Project has welcomed funding from the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which will help it carry on its programme in the county.

DBVP was formed last year for volunteers to offer a free badger vaccination service to local farmers and landowners and in 2014 they injected more than 80 badgers across more than a dozen sites in the county.

Director Joe Hashman said: "We would like to thank IFAW for its generous donation towards our badge vaccination programme. Without extra funding we would not have been able to continue after 2015. This donation is very welcome and also means we can buy essential pieces of equipment to help us in our work.

UK director of IFAW, Philip Mansbridge said: "The Dorset Badger Vaccination Project offers a reliable and free service to farmers and landowners who want badgers on their land vaccinated. Through this programme, the group has built up a strong network of landowners and vets who view vaccination as an alternative to the prospect of badger culling.

"IFAW is strongly opposed to the Government’s badger cull, which many leading scientists agree is unscientific and inhumane."

The group is increasing the number of sites for badger vaccination, and says there is an increasing number of farmers approaching them about their service.

Farmers or landowners can speak to the group about carrying out badger vaccinations on their land on 07503 691765.

Dorset Wildlife Trust opposes culling and has started a five-year vaccination programme on selected nature reserves, to demonstrate that there is a safe, humane alternative.

In the south west more than 1,300 herds are currently affected by bovine TB and more than 30,000 cattle a year are slaughtered in the UK as a result of the disease.