Rural workers staged a demonstration in Perth on Tuesday night against Chris Packham’s who they see as “wrecking their livelihoods.”

The BBC presenter, who was in Perth giving a talk on nature photography, has been an outspoken critic of the game keeping industry and backed increased restrictions on shooting pest species on farms.

A spokesperson for the protest group said they want him to “end his relentless campaign of misinformation” saying he is “waging war against rural workers and their families”.

“Chris Packham is well aware of his position but he is using his celebrity status to distort the truth with unsubstantiated allegations, tarring whole communities,” said gamekeeper Allan Hodgson.

“He doesn’t know these communities, how they work and what binds them together. It’s a bit rich. He hasn’t managed land in his life and knows nothing of the challenges.

“What he is seeking is to ban activities which bring benefits and jobs to people, helps threatened wildlife and fragile areas. Folk have had enough. If he is serious about making things better he shouldn’t start by trying to put people who manage the land every day, out of work – he should be talking to them. He has obsessive tunnel vision and is ignoring science.”

Those at the protest carried banners saying “Standing up for our rural communities” and “Gamekeepers – the curlew’s best friend”.