TONY Blair's local hunt plans to use a bird of prey to get around the ban on hunting with dogs when the season starts next month.

South Durham Hunt, based in the Prime Minister's Sedgefield constituency, in County Durham, is one of about 30 in the country that believes it has found a loophole in the ban, which came into force in February.

The Hunting Act 2004 states that no more than two dogs can be used to flush foxes to a waiting gun, although a pack of dogs can lawfully follow a scent or drag trail.

But some hunts say that when the ban was drawn up, no restriction was placed on the number of dogs that can be used to flush out wild mammals, such as foxes, for a bird of prey to chase.

Hunt master Mark Shotton said: "We have to hunt within the law to keep this hunt going, for the sake of tradition and the many jobs that rely on trade from the hundred-plus people that ride out with us.

"So we have acquired a young eagle owl to try this option."

"We are all still in training with this idea so we don't know yet how it will work out.

"But I do still believe the old way is the best.

"Apart from anything else, it gives the fox a fair chance to get caught or get away.

"We still think the ban should be lifted so we will continue the campaign for that."

Mr Shotton said the hunt would also use a specially-bred and trained pack of hounds for drag hunting and to follow a trail.

The new move has led to objections from some falconry experts who say that using a bird of prey in hunting is cruel and could be dangerous to the bird, the quarry and riders.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "In our view, the falconry exemption does not allow the use of a token bird of prey to allow hunting with dogs to continue. But it is a matter for the courts to interpret the Act.