British fox-hunting ban gets boost

The British parliament has voted by more than two-to-one to continue a campaign which could see the outlawing of hunting foxes with dogs.

Hundreds of protestors gathered outside parliament in London to demonstrate in favour of fox-hunting as MPs inside agreed to go ahead with legislation which will either totally ban the sport or place severe restrictions on the way in which it is conducted.

Opponents of fox-hunting say it is a barbaric and inhuman method of controlling Britain's fox population.

Hunt supporters say thousands of jobs in rural areas will be jeopardised by a ban. The bill will now move to a second stage next month.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service