Sir Paul McCartney has signed up to be the face of a campaign against the proposed cull of up to 500 Kangaroos in Australia.

Appearing in a video message for the welfare group Viva!, McCartney said that people must do all that they can to help prevent what he called a “shameful massacre”.

"There is an urgent need for action to protect kangaroos from a barbaric industry which slaughters them for meat and leather," he added.

Authorities say that the proposed cull on an Australian military base near Canberra is needed because the animals threaten other species.

Vegetarians International Voice for Animals have condemned the cull and protestors have threatened to form a human barricade.

The organisation has also set up a campaign in Europe, which has attracted support from across the world, reports Reuters.

(by Jason Gregory)