A BOLTON MP is campaigning to get the outlawing of fox hunting back to the top of the Government's agenda.

Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, has written to the Prime Minister Tony Blair calling for an early return for the Hunting Bill to the House of Commons.

His moves were prompted by claims in a new report by the League Against Cruel Sports arguing of hunting's status as a sport rather than pest control and detailing the suffering of foxes.

Dr Iddon said: "This new evidence reinforces the case for a total ban on fox hunting -- it has strengthened my resolve to continue to push for that ban and give wildlife the protection that it deserves.

"The only way this can happen is with the reintroduction of the Hunting Bill as soon as possible. I am determined that the barbarity of hunting with dogs should end - and will continue to lobby Tony Blair to ensure that this happens.

"The Prime Minister has promised to resolve the issue of hunting, but I can understand why many of my constituents are increasingly impatient."

The Government has been trying to get a ban - or some form of tight regulation - through Parliament for some time.

But the last attempt was kicked out by the House of Lords in the last parliamentary session and worryingly for anti-hunt campaigners there was no mention of new legislation in the Queen's speech in November.

Douglas Batchelor, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, described Dr Iddon's support as a "real boost" for animal welfare supporters.

He said: "We are closer than ever to finally bringing an end to the cruelty of hunting."

However, pro-hunt groups such as the Countryside Alliance claim that a ban of hunting is at the bottom of the public's list of priorities.