BADGERS will be removed as a last resort from a Lawns estate despite the risks they pose to homes and an electrical substation.

The options for dealing with the problem were outlined by Government officials at a meeting with residents, allotment holders, council officers and South Swindon MP Julia Drown.

The animals have created a maze of tunnels along one side of Greywethers Avenue and beneath an electrical substation that serves the whole of the area.

At the meeting, officials from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs suggested that there were three options available to deal with the problem.

They include:

n Translocation, moving the badgers off the site to a new one.

n Relocation moving them somewhere else in the vicinity, possibly by constructing an artificial sett.

n Erecting an electrical fencing around the allotments.

The law prohibits killing, injuring or taking badgers or interfering with a badger sett.

Gareth Cole, chairman of the Pipers Area Residents Association, outlined the problems faced by people whose homes are threatened with subsidence.

He said: "The badgers are undermining the foundations of the houses which has resulted in a lot of expense and it is not covered by insurance because it is considered to be an act of god.

"The key issue is the worry, upset and stress all mounts up and we can't actually do anything because they are protected by the law."

David Trump, wildlife advisor at DEFRA, said: "DEFRA are authorised to protect badgers and we are here to state the legal situation. The options are hugely variable and depend on each particular location.

"Each case is complex and has to be judged on its own merit, there are no straight answers until we have seen the sight and had discussions with residents.

"Translocation that is removing the badgers is very much the last resort."

Coun Fionuala Foley (Con, Lawns), chaired the meeting and said: "I am pleased with the attendance and that DEFRA came to Swindon to hear the residents fears and acknowledge their concerns.

"They were able to give guidance about what can be done and now Swindon Council will go away and come up with some ideas."

She added that there would be further public consultation at the end of September or the start of October about the council's findings.

For advice on how to discourage badgers log onto www.defra.gov.uk