HUNT supporters from Herefordshire and Worcestershire joined others from around the country in parading through central London to protest against moves to ban the bloodsport.

More than 600 demonstrators, 40 horses and around 50 hounds gathered at the headquarters of the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Smith Square, Westminster.

Afterwards, the rally, organised by the Union of Country Sports Workers, gathered in Parliament Square.

It was part of a campaign by pro-hunting supporters to keep up pressure on the Government since Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael told the Commons in March that a six-month consultation on the issue will take place.

"Tony Blair can't win this one. There's no way country people will lie down," said Rod Turner, from Droitwich.

"You don't find the people living in cities that have the fight we have."

John Holliday, a professional huntsman from Ledbury in Herefordshire, said his livelihood was at risk if the Government forces through a ban.

"We are not toffs on horses. We have been fobbed off with this consultation period, but what we want to know is how they are going to ban it, not if and why and all the rest of it.

"We are not having it."

A huge pro-hunting Countryside March is planned to take place through London on Sunday September 22.