THREE members of Ledbury Hunt face a court in London on Monday charged in connection with a high-profile invasion of the House of Commons.

Ledbury huntsman John Holiday, one of the accused, said a week had been set aside at Bow Street Magistrates' Court and his solicitor had warned him the trial could even run into a second week.

Eight men will be in the dock, including hunt members Andrew Elliott and David Redvers. All have pleaded not guilty to charges of disorderly conduct likely to cause alarm or distress.

The invasion was carried out while the Commons debated a ban on hunting with dogs.

Mr Holliday said: "I'm hoping we'll be found not guilty, because we didn't intend to cause alarm and distress.

"It was a political demonstration in a political arena, designed to gain us maximum publicity. They should have dropped the charges.

"Our action should not have been the success it was. It was so simple. We did have a plan and knew where we were going, but we just blagged our way in. When we were asked where we were going, we lied.

"The original plan was to get in and sit down, link arms and for one of us to make a political point.

"We always had a policy that, if we were challenged, we would stop, otherwise we would just look like thugs."

If found guilty, the men could each face a maximum of six months in prison or a £5,000 fine.

Mr Holliday said: "I can only speak for myself but I have no regrets. My partner, Sophie, is probably more concerned than I am.

"I don't want to go to prison or pay a fine, but I know what I did and I am prepared to face the consequences."

Mr Holliday said he had absolutely no doubt the trial, which had originally been scheduled for March, had been rescheduled to after the General Election for political reasons.