Almost 1,000 readers took part in a Devon weekly’s poll on the future of hunting.

Sixty-nine per cent of those who responded to the Mid Devon Gazette’s survey voted to retain the status quo, showing the local importance of hunting with hounds.

Just over a quarter supported a total a ban.

Fewer than 2% followed the options of restrictions on hunting – and just one reader voted for a referendum on the topic.

The Gazette has been tracking the story since publication of the Burns Inquiry, which led to a Government promise of a new Hunting Bill.

It set out a series of options on the future of hunting with hounds.

Debate has raged through the newspaper, with pro- and anti- hunting columns published.

Deputy editor Mary-Ann Bloomfield said: “The paper’s mailbag has also been inundated with readers’ views, showing that – whatever the opinions expressed – hunting will always be a major livetopic in the heart of the South West.”

Detailed results of the Gazette’s poll have been forwarded to the area’s two MPs, Angela Browning and Nick Harvey.

A free vote by MPs is expected in the next Parliamentary session.

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