A GOVERNMENT announcement to allow a controlled badger cull to tackle the spread of bovine TB has been welcomed by Central Devon MP Mel Stride.

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman has backed calls from many farmers and the county's MPs for farmers and landowners to be allowed to humanely cull badgers as bovine TB worsens. Devon is regarded as one of the bovine TB hotspots

Speaking in the Commons Mr Stride said: "My farmers will be eternally grateful for this decision."