The joint master of Ledbury Hunt says he welcomes signs that a blanket ban on hunting could be receding.

The Countryside Alliance says the new Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) appears open minded on the issue and committed to full consultation.

The threat of a ban on hunting with dogs led the Alliance to organise a massive protest in London earlier this year, only for it to be called off at the 11th hour because of foot and mouth.

Land in the Malvern and Ledbury areas is used by a number of hunts, including Croome Hunt, Ledbury Hunt and North Ledbury Hunt.

Donald Haden, joint master of the Ledbury Hunt, said: "I think the noises we have been getting (from DEFRA) have been more conciliatory.

"We're going to have to wait and see what form the Bill takes before we decide what action to take but we are confident that common sense will prevail.

"Really, we're quite sure we're going to win this battle, as there is a lot of European legislation on human rights which will come into play."

Mr Haden echoed the Alliance's declaration that another London march will go ahead if the Government tries to introduce a ban.

Previous attempts to push anti-hunt legislation through Parliament in its first term were stalled by opposition in the House of Lords.

But Mike Foster, Labour MP for Worcester and a leading anti-hunting supporter, said he believed the Government was still committed to the issue.

"It's difficult to imagine that the Government is backing off from anti-hunting legislation, as they put it in the Queen's Speech," he said.

"I am confident we will get anti-hunting legislation through in the end."