SIR — I can't be the only one to have run into an official wall of silence when trying to find out whether my address in West Somerset, one of the two trial areas for the badger cull, falls within the designated zone.

Having found no information on line, I tried West Somerset Council who informed me that it was not part of their remit but that I should try DEFRA.

Here I was told the same and advised to talk directly to Natural England, the official licensing body.

A very sympathetic lady there informed me that this information was not available to the general public.

She did, however, know that Natural England had a team dealing with this but, even as an employee, she was not privy to the personnel on the team.

She asked me to hold the line while she attempted to connect me but could only raise voice mail. Her persistence, however, did finally get someone to talk to me who stonewalled every question with the answer "This information is not available to the general public".

I enquired how I should know whether or not the badger sett within 200 metres of my boundary would be within the designated area and was told: "If it were, you would have already been informed".

My best guess is that the badgers that visit my garden are safe for the time being, as are my wife and I.

Ken Cordingley,

Catwell,