THE National Trust owns 250,000 hectares of countryside and has 61,776 acres of woodland in its care. It is the second biggest land owner in the country.

Its woodlands and grasslands, countryside and coast, provide homes and a safe place to thrive for countless living creatures.

Last year there were 20m visits to National Trust properties. It claims to be “working hard to safeguard habitats” yet it also licences trail hunting on its land.

The weaknesses in the Hunting Act are being exploited by hunters. National Trust members need to know the truth behind these licences so this nature loving organisation can stop legitimising acts that are often illegal.

Until there is a ban on all licences, there is a free pass for hunters to go onto National Trust property and commit heinous acts of cruelty.

Public pressure is starting to mount and the trust has changed a few policies on its web site, but nothing significant.

In 1997 the trust issued the first ever national ban on stag hunting, but it’s time the National Trust stops licensing hunting of any kind.

This October, National Trust members will have the option to vote on this policy but they need to be made aware of the truth in order to make an informed decision. If the vote isn’t successful it will be another three years before the opportunity arises.

Marjorie Embling, Crook