Campaigners are gathering hundreds of pounds of reward money in the hope hunters who mutilated a badger will be caught.

An anonymous donor contacted the Halstead Gazette offering an initial reward of £100 after reading how the body of the badger had been found with horrific injuries at the side of the road near Bradley Hill, in Ovington, near Tilbury Juxta Clare.

The donation was put out on Twitter and within hours had been tripled.

The badger was found slit open from its throat to its stomach and all four of its paws had also been hacked off.

It is believed the initial injuries were caused by dogs before the badger was mutilated by humans.

Renee Hockley-Byam, chairman of the North East Essex Badger Group, fears the badger was a victim of lamping and wants to ensure it does not become common practice in this area.

Speaking about the reward she said: “It is such a wonderful gesture and shows how much people care."

The reward will be given out if the information leads to a prosecution.

Anyone with information is asked to call the badger hotline on 07751 572175.

Essex Police’s wildlife officer Andy Long is also investigating the incident and can be called on 101.