Sussex wildlife experts suspect a family of badgers, dug out of their sett, could be used for illegal baiting.

Trevor Weeks, of the East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service, was contacted after the landowner reported the incident to the RSPCA.

He went to the site near Hailsham yesterday and discovered a tunnel had been dug into a chamber of the sett.

The area was covered in badgers' hair indicating the animals had fought back as they were removed from their home.

Mr Weeks said the badgers were probably taken to be sold on the black market to people who would use them for the illegal sport of badger baiting.

He said: "We are horrified and appalled that someone can do this and like doing this."

He said the South Downs Badger Group was investing in a special DNA spray.

The spray would be used to mark the hair of badgers in other setts in Sussex.

If a person or dog touches the badgers with the DNA spray, some of it is transferred to their skin and can be used as evidence in a court case.

Badgers and their setts are protected by law.

The barbaric practice of badger baiting was outlawed in 1835 but still continues today.

Badgers are dug from their setts and either pitted against dogs on the spot, or taken away for fights to be staged elsewhere.

Several dogs will often be set against one badger. The badger may have already been partially disabled by the digger to 'even up' the fight.

Police powers to prosecute those engaged in badger baiting were substantially strengthened by the 1992 Protection of Badgers Act.

Anyone convicted of being involved in badger baiting can be imprisoned or fined heavily.

Mr Weeks wants walkers in Sussex to be vigilant and report any suspicions to police.

He said: "This is the first sett I have seen for a long time which has been dug out.

"We know it goes on in the county and we're appealing to anyone who sees anything suspicious, even in the day time, to call the police."