CLAIMS that Eastern European poachers are devastating wildlife around Banbury have been made by two countryside experts.

Wildlife consultant Graham Soden and John Bonney, the bailiff at Clattercote and Boddington reservoirs, say the poachers fish illegally and shoot animals and birds - including swans - indiscriminately.

They say the situation is serious.

The accusations have shocked Genia Goodhall, the leader of the Polish Association in Banbury.

Mrs Goodhall said she does not approve of the poaching, and that her countryfolk, 7,000 of whom have settled in the Banbury area in recent years, do not know the rules.

Mrs Goodhall also said she was preparing a booklet for her community on what is acceptable behaviour in Britain.

Mr Soden, of Middleton Cheney, who works with Defra and wildlife trusts and is a nature walk guide, said: "I've seen gangs of poachers early in the mornings with guns and bags full of dead animals and birds. It is almost as if they are doing it commercially.

"They are Eastern Europeans and shooting wildlife for food is an accepted way of life in their countries. They are brought up to hunt.

"Over here they shoot absolutely anything. I know for a fact they shoot swans.

"In this country we take a lot of trouble to set aside nature reserves and other places where birds and animals can breed and feed. These people are coming along and wiping them out.

"Our countryside is not a free-for-all, and many species are protected by EU regulations."

Mr Bonney said: "It is not just now and again. It happens all the time. They come to the lakes late at night to take carp, which are very valuable fish, from the water, and anything else they can.

"They've even started pestering legitimate anglers, asking to buy their catches. They have East European accents and can be very intimidating."

Mr Bonney added: "We had a pair of swans with cygnets. They were here one day and gone the next. I can't prove anything but it seems obvious to me what has happened."

He said: "If I approach the groups they just say 'no understand' but British Waterways has become involved and their staff are preparing leaflets in five different languages for myself and others to hand out."

Mrs Goodhall said: "Carp is a special dish in Poland. Maybe these people do not know the rules here and need to learn. I cannot condone this and I will try to make sure everyone knows what is right."

Her husband, Colin Goodhall, said: "We are trying to produce a booklet for Polish people coming here.

"I had not heard of any problems. This has come as a surprise to us - but we will put it on the agenda for the association's next meeting."

A statement from Thames Valley Police said: ""There are many, sometimes complex, laws covering these sorts of offences, but simply they can be classified as either theft or criminal damage and can be punishable with prison sentences.

"Poaching and illegal fishing and hunting are crimes and if we have the evidence we will pursue prosecutions."