A BURY huntsman has been accused of cruelty to a fox in what is being billed by animal rights protesters as a landmark trial against hunting.

The case, before Rossendale magistrates, is believed to be the first of its type to be brought under the 1996 Wild Mammals Protection Act designed to give wildlife legal protection.

Alex Sneddon, huntsman with the Bury-based Holcombe Harriers, of Ivy Cottage, Brandlesholme, Bury, is accused under the Act of inflicting unnecessary suffering on a wild mammal.

The case, being brought in a private prosecution by the National Anti-Hunt Campaign, follows the killing of a fox at a hunt meet from the Glory pub, Loveclough, Rossendale, in November.

Campaigners from the North West Campaign against Bloodsports demonstrated outside the court building in Rawtenstall yesterday with placards, banners and leaflets.

Mr Sneddon did not appear in court. The magistrates adjourned the case to a pre-trial review on August 21 when a trial date is due to be fixed.

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