NOW that the General Election has been called, the canvassing has started in earnest.

Real issues will be aired and debated and the people of this country will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the candidate who in their opinion will best represent their views.

Worcester City has been represented by Michael Foster with a majority of 7,425. It is a seat that will be watched with interest by people from right across the UK.

The question must be - how will Mr Foster fight to retain his place in the House of Commons? There is no doubt that he must make hunting the key issue in his re-election campaign.

After all, he has spent a disproportionate amount of his time in fighting for a ban that would have resulted in the loss of many rural jobs.

Mr Foster has, on many occasions, said that he has the backing of the vast majority of his constituents on this issue.

Let him now campaign on that very issue if he is brave enough to do so. I have challenged Mr Foster to debate the hunting issue on many occasions. I now challenge him once again.

TIM PINNEY, Worcestershire Countryside Alliance.