JACK Straw today said he was sticking to his view that regulating hunting was the way forward -- despite the fact that his compromise was defeated in the Commons last night.

Mr Straw joined Tory Nigel Evans in voting against a total ban on hunting with hounds.

But the other East Lancashire MPs -- Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson, Hyndburn's Greg Pope, Burnley's Peter Pike and Pendle's Mr Prentice -- all voted for the outlawing of the bloodsport.

Mr Straw left handling the debate to his junior minister Mike O'Brien but voted for a new system of regulating and licensing hunting and against a ban.

Despite last night's overwhelming majority in the Commons for a ban of 213, his advisors still expect the licensing and regulating option to become law.

The bill will certainly be blocked in the House of Lords and it will have to be reintroduced after the general election.

Even if Labour wins, many insiders believe the Lords will be able to out-manoeuvre the Commons so the compromise of regulation becomes law.

Ribble Valley MP Mr Evans launched a bitter attack on Labour MPs supporting hunting saying: "They just don't understand the countryside.

"I have no doubt whatsoever that the House of Lords, even the reformed House of Lords, will block this bill and that it will not become law because a general election will intervene before it can become an act."

Pendle MP Mr Prentice said: "The middle way, which the Home Secretary supports, is chasing moonbeams.

"I am voting for a ban because hunting is cruel. I believe that huntings time has gone. It has passed."

And he said that if hunt supporters in his constituency such as members of the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt wanted to put up a candidate against him at the election, he would be happy because he was convinced that his views would prevail.

Mr Straw declined to react to Mr Prentice's comments and said that he was sticking by his view that licensing and regulation was the way forward.

He said it was now a matter for a Commons Committee and the House of Lords to consider.

Today Arnold Greenhalgh the master of the Holcombe Harriers, warned that saboteurs could target fishermen next.

He said: "They believe they have won the argument over fox hunting.

"However, they won't leave it there. They will be after fishermen and anglers next, they have said so themselves."