HUNTING organisers in North Yorkshire were delighted today after the House of Lords voted against a ban on hunting with hounds.

Peers rejected MPs' preferred option of an outright ban by an overwhelming 317 votes to 68, and, in a surprise move, also opposed the so-called "middle way" option of licensed hunts by a majority of 80.

Instead they voted by 249 to 108 in favour of self-regulation of the traditional country sport.

The fate of the Bill now rests on the date of the General Election. If it is called for early May, the Bill will "die".

Animal welfare campaigners hope a Labour victory would mean that Tony Blair would stick to his pledge to outlaw the sport and re-introduce a Bill in the next Parliament.

But Allan Caine, spokesman for the Bilsdale Hunt, said it "sounded like a reasonable vote" last night, adding: "I would like to think this will be the end of the matter, but it's up to Tony Blair whether to bring forward another Bill and cause more problems for the countryside."

Douglas Batchelor, chairman of the Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals, said he was "dismayed" by the outcome of the Lords' first vote on the issue.

"We hoped the Lords would listen to the people, but instead they voted for cruelty," he said.

"The Government will have to reintroduce this bill after the election. The overwhelming weight of support amongst elected MPs for a total hunting ban will soon see the Bill become law."

A spokesman for the League Against Cruel Sports said the vote was a disappointment but not a surprise.

Updated: 12:03 Tuesday, March 27, 2001