HUNTSMEN say they will fight for their right to continue with the sport in the face of Government plans to ban it.

On Tuesday, the Government announced that it would back plans to override an attempted block on banning the sport by the Lords.

At the opening of the new session of Parliament, the Hunting Bill will be re-introduced to include a total ban.

This means that the winter season may be the last opportunity people have to hunt legally.

Donald Haden, spokesman for the Ledbury Hunt, said that although the group was keen not to over-react to the developments at this stage, it had grave concerns.

He said: "Although 59 per cent of the population in a survey said keep hunting, the Government seem hell bent on ignoring this.

"More and more of us feel that the Government is anti-countryside in every respect."

The pro-hunting lobby estimates that around 20,000 hounds will be destroyed if the bill goes through, as the dogs are not suitable for family pets and animal welfare charities could not cope with the numbers.

Mr Haden said: "If they do put the bill through, I'll get my local MP to come and watch as the dogs are slaughtered."