HUNDREDS of countryside supporters from across South Lakeland took part in Sunday's history-making rally in London to lobby the Government over its handling of rural issues, reports Ellis Butcher.

With a decision about the future of fox hunting imminent, and the spectre of foot-and-mouth still fresh in people's minds, a total of 60 coaches from across the county headed to the capital as rural communities far and wide mobilised in a show of strength.

The majority of those there were demonstrating against any ban or regulation of hunting foxes with dogs.

But others, such as farmers, were marching because of issues such as falling farm prices, post foot-and-mouth regulations, the threats to rural businesses, transport issues, and the closure of rural post offices.

Tom Fell, of the North West Countryside Alliance, based in Kendal, said: "It has fulfilled all my hopes and expectations because there was this feeling after we chose to cancel the march last year due to foot-and-mouth that some people would lose interest and not go.

"But, as Sunday proved, when people's backs are against the wall, they will come out and stand up for their rights and they did that, very impressively."

Mr Fell said he believed the turnout - the biggest civil rights march in British history - could not be ignored by the Government, and that repeated claims that the majority of people were in favour of a ban could no longer be justified.

"On Sunday, we were one of a large number of people who believe in the same thing, and we are decent law-abiding citizens.

If any legislation comes out, it should be to safeguard fox-hunting now, not to get rid of it," said Mr Fell.

A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that DEFRA Minister Alun Michael was compiling evidence of a six-month-long consultation process into fox-hunting, which involved representations from the Countryside Alliance and the anti-hunt lobby, among others.

When the evidence had been considered Mr Michael would put together a proposed bill on hunting, which would be put before Parliament.

"We will have to wait and see what the minister decides on the evidence before him, which we are expecting in weeks rather than months," said the spokesman.

Marchers from Kendal, Ambleside, Windermere, Tebay, Ulverston, Millom, Kirkby Lonsdale and Crosscrake, plus people from the north of the county, made the journey to London.

The event was organised by the Countryside Alliance and billed as a march for Liberty and Livelihood.

An estimated 407,000 people marched two miles through London's streets.

n For a more detailed report and photographs see the site or The Westmorland Gazette on Friday.