HUNT supporters from across the region used one of the North-East's best known landmarks for a pro-hunting publicity stunt yesterday.

Members of the Real Countryside Alliance draped a banner over the Angel of the North with the message Love Hunting - Join Our War.

They were joined by sympathisers who helped them put the 140ft banner in place, including concert riggers from the music industry.

They used bows and arrows to shoot ropes over the 65ft sculpture, before climbing on to the wings and lifting the banner.

It was put up at 4am yesterday, but was taken down after a request from police shortly before 8am.

Event spokesman Edward Duke, 57, who is a member of the Middleton Hunt in North Yorkshire and lives in Stillington, near York, said: "We feel absolutely betrayed by the Government and we are not going to take that betrayal lying down.

"We thought that Valentine's Day, linked to the fact that we love our way of life, was the ideal platform for us. We decided the Angel could spread a little of that love."

Mr Duke, a former chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "We are Middle England and we do not riot and blow things up.

"When the police came, we asked them politely to let us keep the banner up while we made our point. Then we promised to clean it up completely.

"We did that, and we also picked up every bit of litter on the hill where the Angel stands. It has never been so clean. That is how Middle England revolts."

The banner was assembled in a village hall in North Yorkshire. The main groups involved were the Braes of Derwent, the Tynedale, the Middleton and the Sinnington hunts.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "Our primary concern was to make sure the banner was not presenting a road safety hazard by distracting passing motorists.

"No arrests were made. We have the organisers' details, so if a complaint is made, or if there has been damage, we will make further inquiries."