AN animal-lover has branded town Tory MP Julie Kirkbride's view on foxhunting as 'breathtakingly ignorant'.

Worcestershire's branch of Protect Our Wild Animals (POWA) spokesman Maurice Brett launched the attack after the House of Commons debate on the hunting with hounds bill.

Miss Kirkbride remained steadfast as a Conservative majority, which stuck together and refused to vote in favour of the ban.

MPs voted for a ban on the bloodsport by 387 to 174 but rejected self-regulation of hunting and the Middle Way licensing system, last Wednesday, January 18.

Miss Kirkbride voted for self-regulation but once the option was defeated she backed licensing.

Mr Brett said: "I met Miss Kirkbride when she was a parliamentary candidate and found her views breathtakingly ignorant.

"While I am overjoyed the bill was voted in, unfortunately, the legislation is likely to be blocked in the House of Lords at the time of the General Election, possibly in May.

"We are relying on what happens after the election."

Miss Kirkbride said foxes are nuisances to livestock and do need to be culled and there is no nice way of doing it.

She added: "Many people do derive their living from the hunt.

"Britain has an outstanding reputation for the tolerance of other peoples' views and activities and I think it would be wrong to diminish reputation by seeking to ban the hunt, especially as there are very strong views on each side."

In response to Mr Brett's statement she said: "I respect Mr Brett's views on animal issues, it's a pity he can't respect mine."