MPS defied pro-hunt protestors last night by voting to ban hunting with hounds in a defining moment for the battle against bloodsports.

As hundreds of protestors gathered outside Parliament, MPs began a historic five-hour debate on bloodsports for the third and possibly final time.

The Government offered MPs a free vote on three options. They had to choose between:

l an outright ban on hunting with dogs;

l retaining the status quo and doing nothing;

l A compromise deal that would see hunting licensed and hunts subject to stringent regulations.

At the end of the debate, they voted 401 to 154 against allowing hunting with hounds to continue under self-regulation.

As expected, MPs also rejected the option of allowing hunting under licence, by 371 votes to 169.

And on an outright ban on hunting with dogs, the vote was 386-175.

MPs have voted to ban fox hunting on at least two occasions since Labour swept to power in 1997.

Many huntsmen and women are pinning their hopes on the House of Lords backing a compromise deal that would see their sport continue, albeit with restrictions.

The last time MPs voted for a ban their decision was blocked by the House of Lords, which voted to retain hunting in its present form.

If, however, the Lords vote for the compromise option later today, the Government is expected to bring forward licensing legislation in a bid to find a consensus on the issue.

Although such a move would retain fox hunting, it seems likely to spell the end for stag and mink hunting and hare coursing.

Derek Foster, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, said: "There is no question that the vast majority of my constituents are against hunting, including those who live in the rural areas. I also include a large number of farmers among them."

Fraser Kemp, Labour MP for Houghton and Washington, said: "I think the House of Commons has made its view clear that the public demand a ban. I hope now we shall speedily resolve this issue."

But former Tory leader William Hague launched a passionate defence, saying a ban would be based on prejudice, ignorance and naivety.

Mr Hague, MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, asked why it was considered acceptable to pick on the hunting minority and why fishermen were not being targeted.

He said the Government could have discussed other rural matters, such as the aftermath of foot-and-mouth.

"They have shown how grossly out of touch they are with the feeling of the countryside in the bizarrely inappropriate choice of hunting as the debate today," said Mr Hague.

Ann McIntosh, Conservative MP for Vale of York, said: "I want to keep the natural pursuits of the countryside. In the Vale of York we have a rather large fox population, and hunting is the best means of keeping this in check."

The voting result will come as a blow to North-East pro-hunters who say that as many as 600 jobs could be at risk.

It is estimated that the 50 hunts operating in the region put up to £30m into the local rural economy.