AN ANNOUNCEMENT of a ban on fox-hunting could be made as soon as Thursday.

New Forest MP Desmond Swayne believes Tony Blair will outline his plans to ban the sport following a government Cabinet meeting.

Speaking to the Daily Echo he said: "The Prime Minister has said he will 'resolve' the hunting issue and if the government is going to get something through in the current parliamentary session it must act this week.

Outlawing the bloodsport would have a major effect on the New Forest economy, it was claimed today.

The New Forest Hounds (NFH) warned that fewer people would keep horses, resulting in loss of trade for businesses that supplied riders with tack and other equipment.

NFH spokesman Graham Ferris also claimed that a ban would harm hotels and stables that catered for people who went hunting in the Forest.

Anti-hunt MPs say they have also been given "very clear assurances" from ministers that a bill to outlaw fox-hunting will be put to MPs within the next fortnight.

However, Mr Ferris said any move to ban hunting would be challenged by the Countryside Alliance on legal grounds because it was undemocratic and would involve "unjust" legislation.

He added: "I'm confident we will be hunting for a long time to come."

A new Bill banning hunting with hounds would receive overwhelming support in the Commons, but would run into opposition in the Lords.

However, it is understood that Commons speaker Michael Martin would then invoke the Parliament Act to push through a ban allowing Tony Blair to distance himself from the move.

The League Against Cruel Sports said it had reason to be very confident the ban would be brought in. The group's spokesman Mike Hobday said: "We are being told by MPs that they have received very clear assurances from ministers that the government is going to announce this coming week that it will introduce a Bill the following week.

"We have been campaigning for 80 years to get hunting banned and we wouldbe absolutely delighted if that comes to pass."

The Countryside Alliance said any ban would be ignored.

Spokesman Darren Hughes said: "Fifty thousand people have signed a petition saying they would be prepared to break the law and face the consequences if a ban was introduced. It was not long ago that 400,000 hunt supporters marched through London. I don't think the government can afford to ignore that number of people."

Mr Swayne said: "I'm in favour of hunting, which is something that people have done quite lawfully for hundreds of years.

"I'm also not persuaded by the argument that hunting is cruel and believe the abolition of hunting would result in much greater cruelty to foxes.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis said he would also vote against any new move to outlaw hunting.

Dr Lewis said Mr Blair was attempting to placate his backbenchers, many of whom had entered parliament with high expectations of the government and been disappointed.

"I have never taken part in country sports myself, but strongly defend the right of others to do so," said Dr Lewis.