THE new move to ban fox hunting is well overdue.

Chasing a creature around the countryside, dressed to kill and following a pack of hounds who tear the fox to bits while the hunt look on approvingly, should not be allowed in the 20th century.

It seems barbaric to me, akin to bear-baiting or cock-fighting.

If foxes pose a threat to farmers or the countryside then why not organise a humane cull. The followers on horseback could still have their day out, with the dogs following a trail laid earlier.

I might be one of those ill-informed "townies" but to me it is a ghoulish sport.

K. SOWERBUTTS

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.