REPORTS that foxhunting could continue for years have angered anti-bloodsports campaigners in the New Forest.

They accused ministers of running scared after it became clear that the Bill to ban hunting will not be reintroduced until the Queen's Speech in November.

Jubilant members of the Countryside Alliance said the delay meant that hunting would not be outlawed for another two years.

Anti-hunt campaigner Ken James, head of the New Forest Animal Protection Group, said: "I'm shocked and disappointed.

"The government has made all these promises about hunting and I was beginning to think that at last they were coming to fruition.

"I just hope that they will eventually honour their commitment.

"The pro-hunting brigade is a powerful lobby and I think the government is frightened of what they will do if hunting is banned."