DORSET huntsmen have reacted cautiously to the news that a vote on banning hunting with dogs could be put to Parliament within a month.

Leader of the House of Commons Robin Cook is today expected to announce the timetable for a vote to ban the bloodsport in England and Wales.

MPs and peers are likely be given 'indicative' votes to test the water on the controversial issue in two weeks time.

Both the House of Commons and the House of Lords will hold all-day debates and vote on the Bill that was blocked by peers in the run-up to last year's election.

Mark Pearson, master of the South Dorset Hunt, said: "I hope that Parliament will not just be looking at the question of banning hunting, but that they will look at a range of options, as they did before.

"These would range from an outright ban to maintaining the status quo, with the possibility of some form of licensing in between.

"Clearly, we as a fox hunt are keen to be given as little formal or statutory licensing as possible.

"But fox hunting is much more open to inspection than it was in the past, we are much less frightened of that."

Hugo Busby, master of the Portman Hunt, based near Blandford, said: "I think the majority of the population would be disappointed that the Government is attempting to bring forward this legislation at a time when there are very clearly many other issues to deal with, like the NHS.

"Most public services seem to be in disarray. Having said that, I would welcome any form of discussion on the subject of fox hunting that would bring the matter to a conclusion.

"If the Government wish to go forward with some kind of regulation, then that's fine."

The move comes after a statement by Prime Minister Tony Blair at Question Time that the Government will announce "shortly" when it intends to allow MPs to vote.

Mr Blair said: "There will be an announcement made on the timing of the vote we have promised, both in the manifesto and the Queen's Speech, and that will be made shortly."