HUNTING supporters were today set to unveil a campaign for a "summer of discontent" to protest against Government plans to outlaw hunting with dogs.

The Countryside Alliance will announce a programme designed to cause disruption and disturbances as they fight to save the sport.

Adrian Yalland, of the Alliance, said the campaign would have a high profile.

He told the Evening Press: "We will be focusing at every level, targeting MPs at their constituencies and at their surgeries to impress upon them the importance of the issues.

"We will be at public meetings to make sure they are aware of the strength of feeling.

"Delegations will be sent to every regional DEFRA office with a letter informing them of the crisis in the countryside."

Mr Yalland said a mass demonstration would be held in London, attended by more than half a million supporters, after last year's protest was cancelled due to the foot and mouth epidemic.

He said: "We are estimating that around half a million people will be attending, that is what the police are expecting."

Talks have already begun with the Metropolitan Police and a special office has been set up in the capital to co-ordinate the campaign.

Mr Yalland said: "We feel that there is a very real danger that Parliament is not aware or refuses to acknowledge what a ban on hunting would do to rural Britain.

"We are the campaigning organisation which stands up to such opposition."

Mr Yalland said: "The Government needs to listen to the voice of the countryside, and that is why we are stepping up the campaign."

The Government is set to launch a six-month consultation over the future of the sport.

But the Countryside Alliance has warned that ministers may face prolonged opposition as supporters make their feelings known.

Mr Yalland said: "We will be doing everything we can to highlight the implications a ban on hunting will have on the countryside.

"We are expecting to have the overwhelming support of rural Britain."

Updated: 11:13 Wednesday, April 03, 2002