I FEAR that Ms Watson's demand (Letters, July 6) for a fox hunting ban is just another example of the growing puritan tendency in this country.

She does not approve of something, therefore no-one must do it. The fact that such a ban is likely to be completely unworkable -- if not positively counter-productive -- seems not to concern her at all.

Hunts will probably re-name themselves as "drag hunts" and carry on exactly as before. The huge investment in police time to gather the evidence to stand any chance of a successful prosecution would mean that fox hunting came very low down the priority list.

How could any police force justify diverting scarce resources to chase fox hunters when there is so much street crime about? Even if a successful prosecution was mounted, the penalty is likely to be derisory. How could any court justify a heavier penalty for a fox hunter than for the mugger of a pensioner?

A successful ban would inevitably mean an increase in fox numbers and pressure on food resources. The first baby or toddler killed by a fox would lead to such an outcry that the complete extermination of foxes in this country would be virtually guaranteed.

ALAN FAIRHURST,

Church Lane,

Prestwich.