IT was business as usual for the Holcombe Hunt this week despite Monday's momentous vote to outlaw fox hunting.

Alex Sneddon, joint master of what is believed to be the oldest hunt in the country, told the Bury Times: "We have been here before and for us it is business as usual.

"The Bill still has to pass through the House of Lords and who knows how long it will be passed back and forth."

On Monday, MPs voted by 362 to 154 in favour of a total ban, rather than a compromise to allow hunting by licence.

Ministers have hinted that they are prepared to use the 1949 Parliament Act to force through the Bill if peers throw it out or amend it. The move would mean the end of the Holcombe Hunt, which dates back to the eleventh century. It has received the patronage of three kings, Edward I in 1304, James I in 1617 and George V in 1913.

"There are a thousand and one big issues that need debating, such as schools and the health service, and the killing of vermin to help farmers is not one of the them. The Government should leave hunting alone," said Mr Sneddon, a hunt member for 40 years.

"MPs do not understand what banning fox hunting will do to country life, which is already struggling. Many, including myself, will be left without jobs, and there has been no offer from help from the Government.

"They say fox hunting is cruel, yet in Scotland, where fox hunting is no more, farmers are now forced to use dogs to chase out the foxes and then shoot them. Far more foxes are being killed and left to die in pain because it is hard to get a good shot. This is what will happen here if hunting is banned."

The hunting season lasts from autumn until spring. But Mr Sneddon (66), of Brandlesholme, said their work to help the countryside lasts all year.

"The Government is intent on killing the countryside. What's next, fishing and shooting?" he concluded.

The hunt ban vote was welcome news for the North West Hunt Sabateurs Association, who have been following the Holcombe Hunt since the 1980s.

Member Mr Paul Timpson, who lives in Horwich, said: "It is still a grey area, but it is a light at the end of the tunnel. In the past moves to ban fox hunting has always been a Private Members Bill, but this time it has the backing of the Government."

Mr Timpson (35) has been a member of the association for the past 15 years and denies that banning the bloodsport would kill the countryside.

"A few jobs will go, but it is a myth that nobody will want horses again and the service of farriers will no longer be needed."

The total ban on fox hunting was supported by Bury South MP Ivan Lewis.

"I have always regarded fox hunting as unnecessarily cruel, and I had no hesitation in voting for an outright ban," he said. "You can always find excuses for a compromise, but on this issue my view is very clear cut, and I don't think there's any acceptable half-way measure.

"It's not the biggest issue in the world, compared to the NHS, the economy and Iraq, but people have very strong views on this, and I hope that the will of the House will be put onto the statute book as soon as possible."

Mr Lewis added: "No doubt there will be some shenanigans by the House of Lords to delay and undermine the ban, but I think we have to be very firm on this."

David Chaytor, MP for Bury North, did not vote as he is away on Parliamentary business. He has, however, voted for an outright ban in previous debates.