THE call to save hunting echoed across the North of England's biggest agricultural show as Westminster prepares for the third reading last night of a Bill that could lead to a ban.

Discussion around the hounds and terrier rings was about the legislation the hunting fraternity has described as "political prejudice".

The mood remained defiant as red-coated huntsmen voiced their determination not to give up the fight - no matter what was decided in the House of Commons last night.

Country Alliance chief executive-designate Simon Hart attended the Great Yorkshire Show to rally support, before travelling to London in time for a noisy demonstration outside Parliament by huntsmen and their hounds.

"There is so little time left before the Parliamentary recess it is extremely unlikely a Bill will go to the House of Lords before September or to a committee before the early autumn," he said.

"I think we already have a greater public awareness of the political priorities and that people are beginning to take a dim view of this kind of debate - and the two things together may combine to make it unlikely that a ban on hunting is a foregone conclusion.

"In this poker atmosphere, common sense does not always prevail, but the Government still has time to make the right decision - and that is what we hope they will do."

Mr Hart welcomed the news that North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Della Cannings is among senior police officers who have expressed concern that anti-hunt legislation may be difficult to enforce.

"If a Government forces through legislation which does not have majority support among the public, and has been described as unenforcable by its own police force, then that is an obscenity," he said.

Meanwhile, hunting also won another vote of confidence from honorary director of the Great Yorkshire Show, Christopher Hall.

"It is amazing that while the Government shows total indifference to those who support hunting, there is overwhelming evidence that country people are completely against the proposed ban.

"This year's foxhound show has the highest number of entries for two decades - the classes are always well supported at the Great Yorkshire Show and this year is no exception. The numbers speak for themselves.