MILITANT pro-hunter Jamie Murray Wells says the time for peaceful protests is over and only action can stop Parliament banning fox hunting.

Businessman Mr Murray Wells, from Shipton Moyne, was kicked out of the Labour party conference in Brighton last week after he and other protesters set off attack alarms to signify the Government's 'rape' of the countryside.

But the 21-year-old protester, who runs his own Internet business selling spectacles in Malmesbury, promised more clashes to come.

He said: "Gone is the time for peaceful protesting. It has no effect on MPs. We are fully involved with planning the next step to stop Parliament banning fox hunting.

"We have several ideas in the pipeline, but obviously I cannot reveal those yet. What people need to think about is how they can directly affect the Parliament Act. Our minds are fully focussed on action that will affect the legislation.

"What we saw in Brighton last week was sheer hatred and a general loathing by Labour MPs of people they consider to be middle and upper class who enjoy fox hunting.

"These people are absolutely determined to enforce the legislation on that basis. Make no mistake they are going to do it for the wrong reasons. In my opinion, we only have two weeks left to stop the Act going through and save the sport."

More than 1,000 Wiltshire people including hunters from Badminton-based Beaufort Hunt and Burbage-based Tedworth Hunt, joined around 10,000 members of the Countryside Alliance in noisy protests just as Prime Minister Tony Blair addressed the delegates last Tuesday.

The Hunting Bill, which prohibits the hunting with dogs, cleared the House of Commons last month paving the way for foxhunting to be banned in England and Wales from July 2006.

The next stage is to pass the legislation through the House of Lords.

But the Government may resort to using the Parliament Act of 1949 if the House of Lords continue to oppose a ban on hunting.

By using the Act the Government can pass a bill into law without the Lords' agreement after a year.

The Rev Chris Mulholland, vicar of St Mary's Church, Sopworth, defended the protesters.

He said: "The hunting ban seems to be a class-motivated and hysterical reaction by Labour MPs. It is a totally unjust persecution based on prejudice. I have hunted myself for over 20 years and the cornerstone of hunting is survival of the fittest. It is completely natural.

"There comes a time when people have to consider when a law passed by a democratic process should be defied.

"The suffragettes had to fight to get the vote for women and in South Africa, coloured people were treated worse than animals. The mark of a democracy is respecting the wishes of a minority."

The Tedworth Hunt is holding a newcomers day on Saturday and will be welcoming people who have never hunted before.

Hunts across the country have been holding similar open days this week and inviting newcomers to spend a day with their local hunt.

The Burbage-based Tedworth Hunt held a similar successful day last year.

Hunt spokeswoman Harriet Allen said: "Everyone is welcome, on foot, on horseback, by car or by bike.

"You won't need any specialist clothes, knowledge or kit."

Posters put out by the Tedworth state: "Hunting has nothing to hide. Over 3,000 new people came out hunting during the national newcomers' week last year. Come and see for yourself."

Those wishing to spend a day with the Tedworth Hunt are asked to be at Lower Everleigh, just south of Pewsey, at 8am on Saturday.

Followers intending to take part on horseback have to register in advance by calling Mrs Allen on (01672) 810156 or 077 672 17292.

Meanwhile, the RSPCA is supporting a ban on hunting with dogs. A spokesman said: "We do not believe that foxes are a national pest or a national problem. We believe fox hunting is cruel and unnecessary. If there is a problem with a fox, then a skilled marksman is the only answer. But killing wild animals for pleasure should not be acceptable in this day and age."