THERE was bad news followed by good for Mike Foster and the campaign to ban hunting with dogs this week.

Mr Foster has been pushing for hunting to be outlawed since he was elected in 1997.

But the tiny chance of the Hunting Bill becoming law in this Parliament was wiped out by Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement of a June 7 poll.

It meant the Bill, which was being held up in the Lords after winning a huge majority in the Commons, had finally run out of Parliamentary time.

But there was a silver lining for anti-hunt campaigners.

After months of speculation, Labour's now ready to promise a free vote on a ban early in the new Parliament.

Expect to find a firm commitment in the party's manifesto, which is due to be published this week.

Tory MP Peter Luff, meanwhile, will be hoping to resurrect his proposals for a "middle way" - which would allow hunting to continue under tough regulation.