A TRAIN commissioned by Worcestershire hunt supporters, along with dozens of coaches, will be carrying protesters to one of the biggest demonstrations London has ever seen.

It is estimated that more than 8,000 people from Worcestershire and Herefordshire will be making their way to the capital for the Liberty & Livelihood March this Sunday.

To ensure the maximum number of countryside supporters converge on the capital, the North Cotswold Hunt is putting on its own train and a further nine coaches which can collectively carry 900 people plus their distinctive yellow balloons.

A total of 27 coaches will be carrying members and supporters from the Worcestershire Hunt and more than 120 other coaches will go from other areas of the county.

The train, commissioned from Thames Trains, will leave Evesham station at 8.45am - but all the £20 tickets have already been sold.

"We decided on the train as we have a great service from this part of the country," said Kate Mather, transport co-ordinator for the North Cotswold Hunt. "Although I knew we would be well supported, I am amazed by how many people want to join us.

"They are not all die-hard countryside campaigners either, most of them are stable owners or just people who think it's a good idea and want to show their support."

Hugh Carson, headteacher of Malvern College, said boarders would be given passes out on Sunday to attend the march.

Clare Rowson, West Midlands Regional Director of the Countryside Commission, who is co-ordinating the demonstration locally, said the pace of support had really picked up.

Campaigners are due to assemble at Hyde Park Corner and Blackfriars Bridge from 10am. They will then converge on Whitehall for what is expected to be the biggest peacetime rally the capital has witnessed.