BOXING Day this year has shown just how tiny the anti-hunting brigade really is.

At Boxing Day meets across the country they were outnumbered by hunt supporters at a rate of 1,000 to one.

Failing to turn up at many of the meets they promised to picket indicates how little support they have.

Opinion polls continue to show that the general public does not favour turning their fellow citizens into criminals just because they like to go out hunting. Recent research among vets concluded that the majority does not support a hunt ban on welfare grounds.

Lord Burns, after his in-depth enquiry, made clear that hunting was not cruel.

This was followed by an 18-month investigation into the subject by Scottish MSPs who found no welfare advantage for the fox by imposing a ban.

Though they lack public support and no official enquiry has ever found in their favour, the anti-hunt brigade continues to press its outmoded views.

It's about time they woke up smelled the coffee and realised their ideas will benefit no one, least of all the fox.

H RAY,

Worcester.