FOX-HUNTING may be given an unlikely lifeline after the Government admitted it is considering offering hand-outs to prop up the cash-strapped sport.

Despite Tony Blair's belief that hunting with dogs should be outlawed, officials last night confirmed they would consider hunts' requests for financial help.

A temporary ban on hunting, introduced in the early days of the foot-and-mouth epidemic, is still in force, and looks unlikely to be lifted before the start of the autumn hunting season in only a few weeks.

Now hunts say they could stave off collapse by applying for grants under Government schemes to help rural businesses hit by the crisis, to compensate for the loss of income.

John Haigh, North-East spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, said many hunts had suspended their normal fundraising activities, including point-to-points and puppy shows, leaving them struggling for cash.

He said: "Some hunts have cut staff right down to a minimum, just like other rural businesses, and if it went on for a long time they might have to get rid of some of their hounds.

"If the ban carries on there is no reason why hunts should not apply for help - they are rural businesses, just like other rural businesses."

Peter Dennis, master of the Hurworth Hunt in North Yorkshire and south Durham, said: "We are quite fortunate in that we had a bit of money put away, but we are still struggling and I know some hunts are desperate and may not get going again.

"We have still got to feed the hounds and pay the wages and bills. It is a possibility we will apply for help, although I don't know if Mr Blair would like that."

Mr Dennis said the hunt had to make one employee redundant over the summer and now had only one full-time member of staff.

He added: "The outlook is very bleak and I can't see there being any hunting before Christmas."

David Robinson, joint master of the Zetland Hunt, which also covers North Yorkshire and south Durham, said it had been forced to ask supporters to pay subscriptions monthly to tide them over the crisis.

Mr Robinson said the hunt had applied for relief on its rates bill, which comes to about £3,500 a year.

He said: "We rely quite heavily on fundraising events over the summer, which have virtually all been cancelled.

"We would have had considerable financial difficulties without help from our subscribers, who rallied around and meant we could keep our head above water. It has been a case of covering our costs, not getting into debt and keeping our fingers crossed."

A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the order banning hunting would be considered in the light of a veterinary risk assessment now under way.

He said hunts could apply for help to their regional development agencies, who would determine whether they met the criteria.

A Yorkshire Forward spokesman said hunts would be considered for help, along with other rural businesses.

He said £4m had been made available in hardship grants for businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis.

A spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports said: "This money was originally allocated to help tourism and leisure industries, and it would be a great shame if it was used to subsidise the killing of wild animals for sport."

* Five new cases of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed over the weekend - four in Cumbria and one in Powys, Wales.

Read more about the foot-and-mouth crisis here.