Hunters picket Downing Street (From Gazette Series)

Hunters picket Downing Street

HUNDREDS of hunt supporters, countryside workers and their families from Wessex picketed Downing Street to Thursday to remind the Cabinet of their determination and commitment to fight any ban on hunting.

The picket was the third in a series being held on Cabinet meeting days until the end of the Parliamentary session. It was manned by representatives of all forms of hunting with dogs including the Berkeley Hunt, the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt and Wick and District Beagles.

Countryside Alliance spokesman Will Templer said: "We travelled up to London to show the Government that we are determined and committed to fighting this unjust law.

"This ban has nothing to do with animal welfare. It is a vindictive and prejudiced attack on a minority. The Cabinet cannot wash their hands of this - they will be responsible if they allow the bigots on their backbenches to win through.

"During the picket we talked to the public about how important hunting is to the countryside and rural communities and were very well received.

"Several children attended the event because it is half-term, and were delighted to stand up and be counted.

"There is absolutely no justification for a ban and we are prepared to return again and again until the government treats us fairly".