ALMOST 2,000 local people from many different professions are preparing to converge on London on Sunday, September 22, to defend the freedom of those living and working in the countryside.

The Liberty and Livelihood March, organised by the Countryside Alliance, is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people from across the UK, protesting about the perceived lack of Government consultation on countryside-related legislation.

Many of the marchers will be travelling from the Malvern and Ledbury areas to London in 32 coaches. These have been booked by groups including various hunts and shoots such as Upton-upon-Severn Woodpigeon Club, Rural Ways R Us, The Talbot pub at Knightwick and others.

Joint master of the North Ledbury Hunt Val Allfrey, from Wild Goose Hill Farm in Storridge, has organised five coach-loads of people.

On her return will be quitting the dairy business she runs, because of the falling price of milk, and plans to farm beef instead.

"I feel very strongly that we should be able to choose what we want to do," she said.

"I feel that I want hunting and shooting to continue. I believe in my freedom of choice.

"I hope that the march will show that the countryside is alight and ready to take the Government on about this issue."

Malvern Hills district councillor Wiz Clift, who together with her sister Annie owns The Talbot at Knightwick, said she hoped that the Government paid more than just lip service to the thousands planning on demonstrating.

"We are traditionally farmers and we have strong ties with local communities.

"However, we also recognise that beyond hunting, shooting and fishing there has to be a vibrant modern countryside for rural areas to move forward.

"I don't actually think there's a lot of understanding (by the Government) about the different way in which rural society works. If you try and apply urban models, they don't work."

The march, divided into two sections, will set off from Hyde Park and Blackfriars Bridge, meeting at Whitehall before moving on to Parliament Square. It is expected to be the largest civil liberties demonstration in modern UK history.

Anyone who wishes to join the march, or book a place on a coach, should call the Countryside Alliance on 01531 636685.