THOUSANDS of people across the three counties have supported a campaign to end the slaughter of healthy animals.

Campaigner Anne Mietke, of Longdon, near Upton-upon-Severn, gathered 5,654 signatures from Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in protest at the Government's firebreak cull.

Days after the policy of culling healthy cattle and rare breeds was lifted, she has now handed the petition to West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer.

Sir Michael will take it to Parliament on her behalf as she continues to lobby for the pig and sheep cull to be scrapped.

"It's been very hard work, but I'm very pleased with the response," said Ms Mietke.

"We're still in the middle of the outbreak and we must be prepared for further outbreaks.

"It's great that the slaughtering of healthy cattle has stopped.

"But there are a lot of people in a lot of pain from this.

"Hopefully, the petition will help."