FOX-hunting campaigners returned to court yesterday to ask appeal judges to strike down the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act which outlaws mounted foxhunting with dogs.

They allege that the legislation breaches their human rights and discriminates against them because there is no evidence that mounted hunting with dogs causes more suffering than sporting pursuits such as hunting with guns, which is exempt from the ban.

David Johnston, counsel for the campaigners, also criticised the legislation as being so poorly drafted that no-one could be sure what was allowed and what was banned.

An earlier legal challenge to the legislation was rejected at the Court of Session by Lord Nimmo Smith who decided that to regulate the way in which animals could be hunted and killed was far more within the constitutional responsibility of the Scottish Parliament as the elected legislature than the courts.

The hearing is expected to last six days followed by a written judgement later.