A proposal to save the Saltdean badgers from being killed has been turned down, to the dismay of animal welfare campaigners.

Holders of two licences issued to cull the animals rejected a compromise put forward at a meeting in London between badger groups, politicians, English Heritage, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and animal lovers.

Up to 15 badgers are accused of damaging property with their digging.

Animal welfare groups hoped yesterday's meeting would not only stop the cull of the Saltdean badgers but also prevent culling nationwide.

Trevor Weeks, of the South Downs Badger Group, spoke of his disappointment.

He said he could not reveal the details of the proposed compromise but that it was a proposal which would not normally have been made.

He said: "It was an interim solution that would help them out in the short term. We cannot understand their reaction.

"We have come to this meeting already compromising and they now want us to compromise almost to the limit of killing the badgers. I am disheartened."

The meeting agreed a long-term strategy should be put in place and the problems which arose in Saltdean should never happen again.

Two badgers have already been killed since the licence to cull them was issued in the autumn.

Mr Weeks said: "We are quite certain we can come up with a long-term solution to the problem that will not involve the badgers being killed."

During the meeting residents demonstrated outside Defra's offices with a placard and gained the support of passing motorists and pedestrians.