We are not prepared to let horns fall silent, say hunts

It has also warned that it is ready to use the Parliament Act to overrule any opposition from the House of Lords.

But many connected with local hunts say they are prepared to continue the fight, and in some cases have welcomed the new breathing space.

Several hunts operate in the North-East and North-Yorkshire and are linked to hundreds of jobs in the rural economy.

Mark Shotton, master of the South Durham hunt, said: "We believe in fighting our corner and we are doing something that needs to be fought over.

"Hunting has gone on for hundreds of years and people think it is cruel, but it is the most humane way of getting rid of countryside pests.

"Any ban would affect hundreds of jobs and have a great knock-on effect on other related industries."

Mr Shotton said the consultation period would end after the start of the new hunting season, which could mean there would be no ban this year.

Jamie Cameron, vice-chairman of the Zetland Hunt, said: "Mr Blair has clearly got a problem on his hands over this and everyone has been given what looks like a cooling-off period.

"If you include both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, then 55 per cent of all parliamentarians are in favour of a middle way compromise on fox hunting, and not an outright ban.

"If the Government was to force this upon us we would be more than extremely unhappy."

Hunt supporters would be willing to take to the streets around Westminster in great numbers to voice their discontent with the Government if things do not go their way.

Frank Houghton-Brown, master of the Middleton Hunt, which meets in Ryedale, said: "If they do decide on a ban they can expect up to half-a-million people from the countryside marching through London."

John Collinson, of Whitby, who is chairman of the Staintondale hunt, said: "Six months is a long time, but we hope that everyone involved just keeps talking and does the right thing.