The great hunting debate has captured the imagination of readers of a second Devon newspaper.

Hot on the heels of a survey in the Mid Devon Gazette, its sister paper the North Devon Journal has come to the same conclusion – to keep the hunts.

Fifty three per cent of the replies voted for the status quo to be retained, with 44 per cent opting for a ban.

The four-week vote proved massively popular with readers, polling 1,759 votes, far outstripping response to any other recent campaign or issue.

The other two options, which were partially banning the hunt in certain areas orretaining hunting with more legal restrictions, polled less than 3% of the vote.

Home Secretary Jack Straw has set out the Government’s next steps after publication of the Burns report on the future of the contentious hunting issue.

Those who voted in the Journal poll were asked how they would vote on the topic if they were an MP.

MPs themselves are likely to be allowed a ‘free vote’ on the issue when the Governmentpresents a Bill to the next session of Parliament.

In an open letter to the region’s MPs, Journal managing editor Andy Cooper said: “No-one would claim that the Journal’s poll is a completely scientific gauge of local feeling on the issue.

“Nonetheless, given the high household penetrations the paper enjoys and the tremendous response to the vote, we believe the results do carry greatweight.

“The future of hunting is rapidly becoming the biggest single politicalissue in your constituency and in the wider region.

“As you are someone who can and will shape this issue at a crucial stage inthe future, Journal readers will be interested to learn of your intentions

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