A FORMER huntswoman who turned saboteur has rubbished claims that a Worcestershire hunt was threatened by protesters who vowed to come back with guns and to burn down kennels.

Lynn Sawyer, of Boat Lane, Evesham, said she had experienced the bloodsport from both sides and was shocked when she read the claims by Clifton upon Teme hunt in Saturday's Worcester News.

The animal rights activist believes hunts are the more violent of the battling sides and she had witnessed physical violence and even threats to break legs from some hunts.

She said: "I was so angry when I read the article. I was not there but I cannot believe saboteurs would act that way.

"From my experience, hunts are the more aggressive and violent. At a protest, you are lucky if 10 antis turn up and there are often up to 300 people on a hunt. I can't imaging anyone would stir up violence in that situation."

Mrs Sawyer, who made her dramatic lifestyle change in 1993, added: "I hunted from when I was a little girl and loved it, but gradually I began to realise how horrific it is and what the foxes go through.

"It was then I became vegan and a keen protester for all kinds of animal rights."

But Clare Rowson, Midland regional director for the Countryside Alliance, disputed the claims, saying: "Hunts are going about their business in a perfectly legal manner and, despite protesters getting their way with the Hunting Act they still choose to come on hunts and cause trouble.

"These extremists are not provoked by hunting people and are known to cause trouble, sometimes in a very violent manner."

Miss Rowson added that although Mrs Sawyer had switched sides, more people were discovering hunting.

She said: "The latest is John Hobhouse of the RSPCA who believes hunting is the best way to control foxes as far as animal welfare is concerned."