A group of volunteers who tirelessly helped to make paths accessible to ramblers for ten years have disbanded in disgust after being accused of animal cruelty.

Four members of the Pudsey Parish Paths Partnership were amazed when they were questioned by RSPCA officers after a resident claimed they had decapitated a bird and killed a rabbit while clearing an overgrown footpath.

The group had been using strimmers, shears and other gardening tools to clear away nettles and bushes in the Pudsey pathway in June 2001.

Volunteer Tony Gadsby, 66, of St James Crescent, Pudsey, was cautioned by police after refusing to give a statement to the RSPCA. He was then told he would be prosecuted by the animal welfare group.

Despite protesting his innocence, group member David Badger, also 66, who had been cutting down nettles at the time of the alleged incidents, was also cautioned by the RSPCA after inspectors took a statement at his home in Oaklands Grove, Rodley.

Now, after more than a year, the RSPCA has dropped the matter after meeting with Leeds Council and Countryside Commission officials. Both groups backed the Pudsey Parish Paths Partnership.

But the 15 members of the Pudsey conservation team, who regularly cleared 30 miles of paths and bridle ways, have voted to disband the group because of the distress the situation has caused.

Today Councillor Andrew Carter (Cons, Pudsey North), who supported members throughout their ordeal, said: "These volunteers have been doing good work in Pudsey for many years improving and clearing bridle ways and footpaths.

"They have been treated as criminals because of accusations which were unproved. The words of one person has led to this investigation by the RSPCA which has, in my opinion, acted in a disgraceful way."

Coun Carter said the episode has caused great distress for all the volunteers.

"The result is that the Pudsey Parish Paths Partnership has wound up. I am very disappointed with this. These individuals have cared for the environment and wildlife and to be accused of something like this has been very disturbing for all concerned," he said.

Mr Gadsby, pictured, front with Mr Badger, said although he was now glad the case had been dropped none of the volunteers had received an apology from the RSPCA.

"We were accused of skinning a rabbit and decapitating a bird but I have never heard of a bird which nests in a batch of nettles," he said.

"The losers in all of this are the people of Pudsey and the people who use its footpaths.

"The whole situation has been very distressing. It has upset us and our families. I shall never go back to the group, it is definitely the end."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said the evidence it had accumulated did not warrant legal action but he said every serious complaint involving animals must be investigated fully.

"If a member of the public contacts us with a complaint against animal cruelty we would not be doing our job if we didn't investigate it fully," he said.

"We looked into this particular matter and decided not to take it any further.

"The RSPCA wholeheartedly supports people who try and help the environment but we would advise them to take a bit of care."

The Pudsey Parish Paths Partnership was formed as a partnership with Leeds Public Rights of Way, The Countryside Commission, and Pudsey Civic Society.

The group was hired by Leeds Council's Leisure Services to restore the footpath to its correct line on Thornhill Estates.

The resident who complained lives in Sagley Road, adjacent to the path.

A consequence of the episode is that semi-autonomous groups will now be supervised on the job and be subject to risk assessments.