A NEW national pressure group for owners of hunting dogs has been launched in East Lancashire.

Seventy representatives of 23 lurcher clubs, with more than 5,000 members all over the country, gathered at the Rose and Crown, Ramsbottom, for the inaugural meeting of the National Lurcher Association.

It has been formed in partnership with the British Field Sports Society because owners of working lurchers fear a future Labour government may ban hare coursing and make it illegal to catch rabbits with dogs.

"Many thousands of lurcher owners stand to lose their traditional right to hunt a rabbit or catch a hare," said Gary Hosker, the association's spokesman.

"We particularly aim to press our case to Labour MPs and election candidates, who often tend to oppose all forms of field sports for misguided reasons.

"We think it's time for all sides in the country sports debate to get together and talk for the benefit of a properly managed countryside."

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