HOLCOMBE hunt supporters remain confident that foxhunting will continue despite an overwhelming vote in favour of an outright ban in the House of Commons.

In a free vote last night all local MPs backed moves to make hunting with hounds illegal.

But George Dickinson, joint master of the local Holcombe Hunt, which dates back to 1304, says he remains confident that the House of Lords will produce opposition to the ban and in the end a compromise will be reached which will allow hunting to continue.

"We are still optimistic," he said.

"Common sense will prevail at the end of the day. I think there will be some sort of licensing system and we can live with that."

But David Crausby, Bolton North East MP who is vehemently opposed to anything other than a total ban believes there has been enough debate on the issue and a ban should be introduced quickly.

"I don't think the fox will appreciate that they are being torn to bits by licence," he said.

"We should get this issue done with. There are too many things in this country to do and we should get on with it."

Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly is also against any sort of compromise.

"We must ensure that the will of the democratic chamber prevails," she said.

Other local MPs who joined the Prime Minister Tony Blair in voting for a total ban included Brian Iddon (Bolton South East), David Chaytor (Bury North), Ivan Lewis (Bury South), Terry Lewis (Worsley) and Andrew Burnham (Leigh).

The battle over hunting with hounds moves to the House of Lords today.

There was an impassioned debate in the House of Commons last night when MPs voted overwhelmingly - by 386 votes to 175, a majority of 211 - in favour of a ban.

The focus now shifts to the Lords, which holds its own debate and "indicative" votes on the issue later today.

Prime Minister Tony Blair voted for an outright ban, though earlier his official spokesman indicated that the Government still hoped for a "consensus" on the way forward.

Last night's vote left the Government in little doubt as to the depth of feeling on the issue in the Commons, particularly on its own backbenches.

Niel Hansen, spokesman for the National Anti-Hunt Campaign, insisted that there could be no compromise solution.

"There can be no middle ground on cruelty," he said.

Despite the noisy protests of pro-hunt demonstrators on the streets of Westminster the alternative options, self-regulation or licensed hunts under the Middle Way, attracted relatively little backing.

The licensed hunts option was defeated by 371 votes to 169 - a majority of 202.

MPs rejected the option of allowing hunting with hounds to continue under self-regulation by 401 votes to 154, majority 247.

Support for a ban was virtually as strong as when the Commons last voted on the issue. Early last year the majority in favour of a ban was 213.