ONE man was taken to hospital and two people arrested after clashes between huntsmen and saboteurs near Salford Priors.

Scuffles broke out when a group of saboteurs came face-to-face with the Three Counties Mink Hounds shortly after 12 noon last Saturday in fields near the River Arrow between the A46 and the B439 after the hunt made its way from Marriage Hill in Bidford.

A 20-year-old huntsman from Quinton, had what police described as "a noxious substance" sprayed in his face as about 30 huntsmen, all on foot, were confronted by the saboteurs.

The victim, who did not want to named for fear of reprisals, said: "It was absolute agony. It stung like hell."

He said he had water poured in his eyes straight away to ease the pain and was taken to Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for treatment and later discharged, although he said on Tuesday: "They are still stinging now."

Police put the number of protestors as between 30 and 50, but Mark Allen, the hunt's master of hounds, said: "I estimate there were 80 or more. They swarmed upon us and stopped us hunting."

He added: "Things got very out of hand. There were quite a few scuffles and pushing. They came meaning to do business."

He said several of the saboteurs had balaclavas covering their faces and said: "They actually knocked my wife about trying to get to me. They were spraying the hounds - and they call themselves animal lovers."

About 20 police offices with dog handlers and a police helicopter were called and arrested two people, a 19-year-old from Reading, who was taken to Leamington Spa police station before being released on police bail and a 37-year-old from Hungerford, who was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, but later cautioned and released.

Police say they had no prior warning the hunt was taking place, the same day as the England against Denmark football match. Inspector Charlie Butler said: "As a result, our resources were stretched elsewhere. "

Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesman Nathan Brown said the substance sprayed was a citronella spray, which was harmless to animals. "Whilst one or two people did have their faces covered, this is because they do fear reprisals."