IN reply to the letter from Mrs M J Large (You Say, June 22), may I offer her my sincere apologies if I have ever appeared patronising in our long correspondence about hunting.

But I think it far better than being rude or abusive, however much anyone may disagree on the issue. I am at a loss to understand how Mrs Large can describe the Burns report into hunting as ''ambiguous'' when she has admitted to not reading this Government-sponsored report which cost more than £600,000 to research in great detail.

It is a common theme in the letters from Mrs Large to ask me a question, which when answered, she claims it as some wicked revaluation about hunting or coursing.

All the enquiries she has put to me so far could easily have been answered in an unambiguous manner by looking at the Burns report. For instance, she is puzzled by the use of horses to follow hounds.

A brief check with Burns would have informed her about the numerous packs of foxhounds which are followed on foot and not on horseback.

If Mrs Large is serious about making hunting and other country sports illegal it is essential that she first fully understands all the facts. To this end I can arrange for her to follow hounds, see coursing, visit a hunt kennels and talk to a huntsman.

I realise Mrs Large is unlikely to change her entrenched views and she may be better able to argue her case for a ban after but that's a chance I am prepared to take.

I hope Mrs Large will accept my invitation along with a copy of the Burns report in the spirit it is offered.

JON BURGESS,

Malvern.