Campaigners have submitted a petition to Elmbridge Council in a move they hope will put a stop to a fox cull.

The cull was set to take place at the Stompond Lane sports ground, home to Walton and Hersham Football Club, on March 15 but was cancelled by the council.

A petition has now been lodged to curb the cull.

Earlier this year, the council asked a contractor to look at the situation at the sports ground and decide upon further action, after concerns were supposedly raised by the football club about foxes scaring children and workers, although the club denied these claims.

Campaigners claimed the council used sly tactics to push forward the fox cull, which the football club denied asking for.

A statement on the petition, headed by Holly Ruthven, said: “We are outraged that a cull was arranged in light that one of the alleged complaints was not in fact made.

“It appears that insufficient investigations have been carried out in order to establish whether the foxes are really a genuine issue.

“Foxes are beautiful, timid creatures which pose little threat to the general public and are part of Britain’s indigenous wildlife.

“They are beneficial to the environment by helping to reduce rat populations and they form part of the ecosystem by being a natural predator.

“Anyone who is fortunate enough to have foxes in their garden will understand that these mammals are full of character and are a joy to observe.

“We should be proud of our foxes and not be seeking to kill them.”

The petition contained almost 3,000 signatures but only 41 were from Elmbridge or Surrey.

Under the council’s petition scheme, it must still consider signatories from people who do not live nearby.

A petition is due to be submitted to the cabinet at a meeting in the civic centre tonight.

Elmbridge Council was unable to comment.