THE legal fight against the ban on hunting with dogs was set to go before the High Court today.

Lawyers for the Countryside Alliance were due to argue the House of Commons had no right to pass laws banning hunting.

If today's challenge fails, the Alliance has said it will seek an injunction to allow further appeals to take place.

And what will happen? There will be endless rounds of legal arguments, lots of lawyers will earn lots of money and... nothing will change.

With a General Election likely to be held in May this year, surely a political battle would be far more effective than a legal one?

Lobby group Vote-OK's promise to help unseat anti-hunting MPs - including Worcester's Mike Foster - does, at least, have the benefit of a clear direction.

If you don't agree with a party's - or a candidate's - views, vote for someone else. Simple.

Source of pride

UNDER normal circumstance, the last-minute cancellation of an important public meeting would be greeted with howls of derision.

However, the fact that last night's meeting to discuss plans for Malvern's new hospital was called off should be a source of pride, not protest.

Because more than 500 people turned up, the venue was not able to safely hold them all.

It is good to see so many taking an active part in their community's future.