SIR - Jon Burgess from Malvern seems to think I should acquaint myself with the Hunting Act.

Well, Jon, there's no need for that. My own conscience tells me what's cruel and fox-hutning is downright cruel and should have been banned many years ago when bear baiting was banned.

Man is the only animal that kills for the sake of killing, and those who do it have got to have a cruel streak in them.

And you are probably right, more people do join the hunt meeting because there's no unnecessary killing and people enjoy a ride round the countryside.

But there is still an element of cruel people who want to kill in the name of so called sport, and I hope it stays banned for evermore.

JOHN SHEARON, Worcester.