SHADOW defence secretary Nicholas Soames fired a salvo at the ban on fox-hunting during a visit to the New Forest.

Mr Soames said a future Tory government would create parliamentary time for a Private Member's Bill that would reverse the "mean-spirited" ban on hunting with hounds.

He spoke out during a question-and-answer session with students at Totton College. Mr Soames, who has represented the rural constituency of Mid Sussex since 1997, said: "It was wrong to ban it and we will offer a free vote on a Private Member's Bill.

Later, in an interview with the Daily Echo, Mr Soames said: "I grew up in the country and have hunted all my life. I feel that turning law-abiding people into criminals is bad."

Mr Soames's helicopter was delayed by bad weather and he was 90 minutes late arriving at the college. The delay meant he had to cancel a meeting with pensioners at the Three Score Club in Totton.

The shadow minister was accompanied by Julian Lewis, the Conservative candidate in New Forest East.

During his meeting with students Mr Soames praised the quality of the NHS, but said the organisation should be managed more efficiently.

He also called for an annual limit on the number of immigrants allowed into the UK.

For more local news from the 2005 General Election campaign see pages 8 & 9 of today's Daily Echo.