Home Secretary David Blunkett faces a police revolt over his threats to jail hunt followers from within the force.

Officers who hunt have said they may resign rather than arrest fellow supporters who have pledged to flout the ban.

One life-long policeman from the Northumbria force faces the prospect of arresting his wife - who has vowed to go to prison rather than give up hunting.

Sarah Restall, the wife of Northumbria PC Keith Restall, is one of thousands of North-East countryside campaigners planning to hijack the Labour Party's spring conference, in Gateshead.

Newcastle detective George Morrison will be forced to stand down as secretary for the Borders Hunt when the ban comes into place, but the 49-year-old is due to retire from the force in May and is considering his position.

Mr Blunkett issued a warning to hunt followers, saying there was "no question" police would enforce the Parliamentary ban.

But hundreds of hunters, including what is claimed to be dozens of police officers, say they will ignore the law.

Mrs Restall, 39, who gave up work in a hotel last year to focus on her children and bring up young hounds for the hunt, said: "On February 18, my husband has to stop hunting.

"And on the 19th, he could be arresting me because I vow to continue."

Richard Dodd, regional director for the Countryside Alliance, last night said hunting would continue after the ban.