Campaigners have accepted that legislation bringing in a ban is not likely to be included in the Queen's Speech next week.

But they believe the government will fulfil its pre-election pledge to ban hunting with hounds - after the House of Lords has been reformed.

This fox cub was found trapped

The League Against Cruel Sports, the RSPCA and the International Fund for Animal Welfare are joining forces to launch a new campaign pressing ministers to implement their promise.

The league believes that after hereditary peers have been scrapped, the government will bring in its own legislation, which will pass through parliament easily because Labour has such a huge majority.

The Home Office would not comment on the contents of the Queen's Speech.

But league spokesman Steve Rackett told BBC News Online: "We would be pleasantly surprised if there were anything in the Queen's Speech. But we think a number of measures will come in once the House of Lords situation is resolved."

Lobbying, not attacking

The three organisations will formally step up their Campaign for the Protection of Hunted Animals at the end of the month.

Sir Paul McCartney backs the campaign

They are launching a new book setting out their arguments, with a foreword by Sir Paul McCartney.

Mr Rackett said: "Last time, more than 411 MPs voted for Michael Foster's Bill - that's the biggest vote for any Private Member's Bill in the history of Parliament - a record turn-out.

"Private Member's Bills that have got through in the past have only needed about 100 MPs, so 411 MPs shows the strength of our support. So when legislation comes, we are sure of getting it through.

"We are concentrating not on attacking the government for not bringing in a ban so far, but on lobbying for one in the next three years - in this parliamentary term.

People power

"This is the final push - this next year is as crucial as the previous 70 in terms of what's going to be achieved, so we're upping our efforts and going one mile further."

He said he did not believe voters would allow the government to go back on a pledge, nor that opponents would be allowed to scupper primary legislation.

Two attempts at bringing in a ban failed earlier this year. In March, Labour MP Mr Foster's bill was talked out of time.

Beagles are used for fox hunting

And in the summer, Mr Foster dropped a fresh move at introducing the measure, saying it would have been prey to his opponents' "cynical tactics". The government refused to back the bill, saying it had other legislation to get through the Commons.

Pro-hunt lobbyists had organised a Countryside Alliance rally to Hyde Park, which attracted 250,000 people. They argued that hunting is a traditional way of life which should be preserved.