Two men have been fined after illegally digging out a badger sett and leaving wildlife deterrent devices.

The pair were caught after concerns were raised to police that an active badger habitat had been disturbed during land clearance near Brookland.

An investigation began in January 2023 which revealed setts had been dug out without a licence from Natural England or an ecological report.

Wildlife deterrent devices had also been placed facing into the holes.

Two men from the Romney Marsh area were charged with interference with a badger sett under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.

Mathew Bryan, 37, of Camelot, Brenzett, and Anthony Merrett, 60, of Rectory Lane, Brookland were convicted at Folkestone Magistrates' Court and each fined £800 and ordered to pay further costs of £650 each on Wednesday, September 11.

Sgt Darren Walshaw, of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “The law to protect badgers is in place for a good reason and we are committed to enforcing that law to protect the species.

“The scene of this incident showed the impact the groundwork had on the badger sett and it was right that these two men were held responsible for their actions.”