12:01am UK, Tuesday July 01, 2003

MPs in the House of Commons have voted in favour of an outright ban on fox hunting in England and Wales.

Those in favour numbered 362, compared to 154 hunting supporters.

180 Foxes hunting, horses, dogs countryside

Hunting: Call for total ban

The majority was a total of 208 people in favour after a passionate five-and-a-half hour debate.

The news came minutes after ministers decided not to persist with demands for a limited ban on hunting with dogs.

It proved another damaging setback for Prime Minister Tony Blair, who did not take part in the debate and did not vote.

The Bill is certain to face stiff opposition from pro-hunt peers in the Lords.

It will have to be re-committed to a standing committee for "tidying up" before the summer recess but anti-hunt MPs are confident that despite the delay the Bill can still be forced through the Upper House using the Parliament Act.

The result was greeted by loud cheers in the Commons gallery but despair among pro-hunt supporters who had demonstrated noisily outside Parliament all day.

Over the weekend, Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett had urged MPs not to "wreck" the Bill by voting for the total ban on fox hunting.

The Prime Minister's spokesman made clear that Mr Blair supported the Bill as it stood, without amendment.