Richmond Park and Bushy Parks defend policy of culling deer twice a year - saying contraceptives are not the answer

Richmond Park and Bushy Parks have defended their policy of culling deer twice a year - after complaints from animal rights campaigners.

"Stop the Deer Cull" is calling for the animals to be given contraceptives, to control their numbers, rather than killing them.

But the Royal Parks say such medication isn't licensed for use in the UK - and that the animals would suffer if they didn't regulate the population.