THE article about the Ledbury Hunt (Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, May 24) was an excellent explanation of why it would be completely wrong to ban traditional hunting.

There is no basis for a ban because of cruelty, importantly 63 per cent of vets support the continuation of hunting on the grounds of animal welfare.

Plainly John Holiday as huntsman to the Ledbury loves his job and most of all his hounds, to put him out of work and home plus making him a criminal would achieve nothing in the way of saving the life of one single fox. His present task would simply be taken up by farmers, landowners and gamekeepers.

Hunting is always portrayed as a pastime for the idle rich by those who continually scream for a ban. It is certainly not a pastime, it is a way of life for many people in the countryside and something they will not surrender without a fight.

As for being idle and rich, the majority who hunt are ordinary working people who don't ride a horse but follow on foot or in a car to see hounds working.

Hunting like other country sports are most important to maintaining our beautiful countryside. Well over five million people are involved in country sports, well recognised as the biggest force for conservation in Britain today.

I for one cannot see the 'ban it brigade' taking up this huge task if they achieved their goal of making ordinary decent country people into criminals.

J Burgess, Worcester Road, Malvern Link.