EAST Lancashire huntsmen today spoke of their determination to stop a ban on fox-hunting in the wake of protests in London.

Members of the Holcombe Hunt and Bleasdale Beagles, with support throughout the countryside communities, said the protest had left them "heartened".

There were also violent clashes between police and protesters in Parliament Square as thousands of hunting supporters voiced their opposition to the ban.

Mike O'Hanlan, chairman of the Holcombe Hunt, enjoyed by riders from across East Lancashire, said his wife, Rosemary, was at the protest with several friends.

"My wife was overwhelmed by the support and anger," he said. "They have now pledged not to lie down to what we see as undemocratic and a misuse of parliamentary power.

"This Government was never put in power to bring in a ban on fox-hunting but rather to look after schools and health."

MPs last night voted overwhelmingly to ban fox-hunting and hare-coursing, after a debate interrupted when five pro-hunt demonstrators stormed into the Commons chamber.

On a free vote, MPs came out in favour of the ban - by 356 votes to 166, a majority of 190.

Today MPs criticised the storming of the Commons by five protesters. Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said armed police may have to be stationed at the entrances to the Commons Chamber following yesterday's protest.

But the Labour backbencher added: "An attack on the House of Commons is an attack on democracy itself. I understand people have strong views on hunting and on other issues but it is totally unacceptable for protesters to invade the Chamber."

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans, an opponent of banning hunting - said: "I cannot condone the demonstrators disrupting the proceedings of Parliament in this way."

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "This is a serious matter. There must be a review of security. We may have to have armed police near the Chamber. This should not have been allowed to happen."

Paul Timpson, spokesman for the North West saboteurs association, said: "This is the sort of behaviour we see all the time and their true colours have come out."