A dispute has broken out between Cambridge Park residents and dog walkers over attempts to feed a colony of badgers roaming streets and gardens.

An unknown badger lover has been leaving piles of raw meat, including chicken legs, as well as bread and sausage rolls in the hollow of a tree alongside the road.

Some locals fear the food will attract vermin and is interfering with the natural order, while there are concerns for the safety of passers-by and dogs. By contrast, a number of residents have been thrilled at the presence of the badgers.

The RSPCA advises it may be helpful to feed badgers during an occasional icy spell, but warns that repeated feeding creates problems, including making what are wild animals dependant on the human handouts.

At least three badgers have been seen moving backwards and forward across the road to the tree, while a dead fox was recently seen on the roadway.

One local worried about the badger feeding said: "I was walking my dog and wondered why he was often so excitable around the tree in Cambridge Park every time we passed it. I thought it was the foxes, they always seemed to be very active around about an hour or so after dark.

"I wondered if the dog was snuffling out some kind of fox or animal in the hollow of the tree at the base, but when I looked closer I saw raw chicken legs and sausage rolls that had been left hidden in there. Around the other side of the tree there was a plastic water dish."

She added: "Whilst I am an animal lover myself, and whilst I am sure this feeding is also being carried out by an animal lover and with the best intentions, it seems a dangerous thing to interfere with the food chain in this way.'

A contributor to social media posted a number of pictures of the meat left out for the badgers.

They wrote: "So last night, in a hollow of a tree, after dark, someone put this inside. Apparently for the 'badgers' - raw chicken meat that will attract rats and other animals.

"One fox lay dead on the road, presumably run over trying to get to the tree. As we are trying to fight viruses like never before, shouldn't we be letting nature and wild animals take their own course rather than us humans interfering with the food chain?"

Other residents welcomed the presence of the badgers: "Such a lovely surprise. Just thought we'd mention it in case you want to see one."

Another person wrote: "There are three of them! They eat every evening from 9.30 till 10pm."

RSPCA on badgers

According to the RSPCA, badgers mainly feed mainly on earthworms in the wild but are highly adaptable.

Most badgers live in social groups of approximately five to 12 individuals and each group defends a territory that will usually include more than one sett.

Territorial activity is greater in early spring during the mating season. Both sexes will also make temporary visits to neighbouring groups in late winter and/or early spring, probably to seek out potential mates.

Each social group normally has one litter of one to five cubs each year. Mating can occur during most of the year, but the fertilised egg does not usually develop until winter.

Badgers do not hibernate but spend far less time above ground during cold weather in December and January. Most cubs are born in early February, sometimes earlier.

The RSPCA said: "Providing supplementary food, in limited amounts, can be beneficial to badgers. Suitable foods include tinned cereal-based dog food with lightly cooked meat, cheese, some peanuts and fruits of the season."

But it warned, that this can caused problems, adding: "If food is provided on a regular basis, possibly by a number of local householders, there is a risk that the badgers will then be attracted to the gardens.

"Problems can arise if other neighbours do not welcome the badgers and may lead to someone taking action against the animals. Care must also be taken to avoid the badgers becoming dependent on handouts when food is put out every night in large amounts.

"In extreme situations, the social group may become larger than the territory would support naturally. It is also not advisable to provide food if it encourages badgers to cross a busy road."