THE report No fox, no protest as hunters parade, Echo, January 2, quoted the master of foxhounds as saying: "Despite the ban, we have more followers now than we did five years ago."

The Echo reporter then commented that hunt supporters hoped the controversial Hunting Act will be repealed, as pledged by the Conservative Party if it wins the next General Election.

The Hunting Act 2004 made fox hunting for sport an offence.

The Countryside Alliance also claims that, as a result of the Act, horse riding without chasing a live quarry has increased in popularity.

Why, therefore, do these people wish the legislation to be repealed?

It is illogical to my way of thinking as, in the event of repeal their support would, assumedly, go down again, reflecting the abhorrence of most people at the sport of killing animals for fun.

However, two old timers at the East Devon meet clearly lament the ending of their former blood sport. Eddie Cook, 81, was reported as saying: "There are so many people that are anti. But I think it is more important that people should enjoy themselves."

And Jim Perrian, 82, said: "It's tradition, and a part of old England that is vanishing rapidly."

Do these former blood sportsmen also wish to reintroduce deer and stag hunting, hare hunting and hare coursing?

Last week, in Catalonia, the old Spanish tradition of bull fighting was banned.

I feel sure that most readers of the Echo will also approve of this tradition being brought to an end, even if it means depriving spectators of their enjoyment.

John Phelps

Argyll Road, Exeter