FARMERS from East Lancashire travelled to London today - many for the first time in their lives - to join a huge protest rally.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans was joining two coachloads of his constituents at a rally aimed at highlighting the importance of the countryside as a 'living, working environment.'

The Hyde Park event was being attended by local farmers and members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation. It has been organised in response to the introduction of a Private Member's Bill calling for a ban on hunting and over 100,000 protestors are expected to take part.

Nigel said many of the farmers were making the trip to London for the first time.

Phil Pugh, of the BASC's Gisburn office, said his office had been inundated with inquiries from country shooters across East Lancashire keen to attend the event and 'make their voices heard.'

He claimed country sports made 'positive contributions' toward creating and managing habitats for wildlife and warned that the countryside was becoming a 'theme park for weekend walkers.'

Tony Blair yesterday reiterated his opposition to hunting during Prime Minister's Question Time.

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