Sir.-I write regarding the Hunting Act that comes into force at midnight on February 17.

I feel it is a useless and worthless piece of legislation. It will not improve the lives of hard-working families in this country and it will not improve animal welfare.

All it will achieve is an impossible situation for the police and the prosecution services - absolutely no good will come of it.

On Saturday, February 19, more than 250 hunts across the country will be meeting, legally, as normal to demonstrate to Government that we will never accept unjust law.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to readers and the rest of the community to come and join us.

We will meet on February 19 and continue to meet and hunt within the law for as long as it takes to replace or repeal this temporary ban.

Legislation based on prejudice, not evidence or logic, cannot and will not stand the test of time and we will be holding meets for many years to come!

We intend to keep the infrastructure of hunting going while we challenge the legislation in the courts and in the country - we owe it to our hounds, our supporters, the rural community and the countryside that we all know and love. We will not let this Government devastate the countryside and its people.

Please come to the Hampshire Hunt meet on February 19, at 11am, at Moundsmere Manor, Preston Candover, to support freedom and tolerance and oppose unnecessary political interference in the lives of ordinary people.

-Luke Axel-Berg, Farringdon.