Fox protest

Around 20 campaigners staked out Beach House Park on Thursday night after receiving an anonymous tip-off that the club's contractors, Continental Landscapes, had planned a mass cull. They have since put the club on 24-hour surveillance.

Andy Collins, the company's contracts manager, and Chris Bradley, Worthing Council's parks and gardens manager, both denied the claim.

But protesters feared a repeat of August last year, when an undisclosed number of foxes were killed to stop them digging holes in the turf.

Two culls were ordered by Worthing Council to protect the greens over fears that the English Bowling Association would take the annual National Bowling Championships away from Worthing, perceived as the "mecca" of bowling.

Last week, bowlers complained that untreated moss and bumpy lawns had ruined their game.

Vice-captain Ron Evans said: "As much as we might like wild animals, if you walk through the park in some of the flower beds, foxes are digging great holes in them. We have to do something, otherwise they will just multiply and multiply."

But Jaine Wild, from West Sussex Wildlife Protection, said that to blame foxes for the pitches' condition was "just an excuse".

"Last year, foxes were shot from the balcony," she said. "They were maimed and bleeding, so the gunmen just followed blood trails to kill them."

She added: "We feel so strongly about this that it would only take one phone call to get hundreds of people down here. If they ever did that again, I would fear for the safety of their ground."

Mrs Wild warned club officials that protesters would sabotage the playing greens in the event of a cull.

"There are many people who would make sure that this national event won't take place this year, next year or ever."

She met Mr Bradley last Thursday at the park to discuss alternative animal deterrents.

They found eight weak points in the green perimeter fence, where foxes could get onto the lawns, which would cost around 1,000 to repair.

The council's director of services, Tim Everett, called last year's cull "a last resort" and insisted no repeat was planned.

"This council is not keen to carry out culling unless it is absolutely necessary. There has been none this year and it is not something we would take lightly."