Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, is adding his voice to those who say the foxhunting ban should stay, despite acknowledged difficulties in enforcement. He says he will be supporting the "Back the Ban" campaign which is to be launched on Boxing Day when the hunts traditionally gather.

The Pendle MP was a pivotal figure in forcing the Government to bring in its own Bill to outlaw hunting with dogs. Previous attempts to bring in a ban via the Private Members Bill route were regularly derailed.

The MP said: "I have always believed it quite wrong to kill animals for fun. I am appalled the Conservatives have promised to give time for a Commons vote to repeal the Hunting Act if they win the election."

"We should instead be closing the loopholes in the Hunting Act. We shouldn't allow people who take pleasure from killing wild animals to cock a snook at the law."

ends