Labour councillors are set to bring a motion which "recognises the threat of Trail Hunting on Council-owned land" with the backing of the Frodsham MP.

Cllr Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency, described Trail Hunting as a "smokescreen" for killing foxes, which has been banned for 15 years.

He said: "This has been confirmed recently in a leaked online webinar with national hunt officials and retired policeman advising their members how to use this legal loophole to go about their hunting business.

"This has also led to the national suspension of all Trail Hunting activities by the National Trust and the Forestry Commission."

The motion will be debated at the meeting of the full council to be held tomorrow (10 December).

Cllr Bryan said that in the last hunt season, which faced disruption due to the lockdown, there were "at least" 21 reports of suspected illegal hunting collated by the Cheshire Monitors anti-hunting group.

"These reports include multiple incidents of badger sett blocking, the pursuit of foxes by hounds, livestock worrying, including horses and pregnant ewes and a hound killed on a road," Cllr Bryan added.

The motion being debated states: "This Council notes that the hunting of wild animals with dogs is illegal under the terms of the Hunting Act 2004, except where an exemption applies.

"With a continual threat to the environment and on wild and domestic animals; to prevent potential illegal activity in breach of The Hunting Act 2004 and The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and to prevent damage to other flora and fauna by hunts, their hounds, followers and objectors, this Council asks Cabinet to consider and develop a policy to clearly reflect this position with regard to Trail Hunting on Council-owned land."

The borough's three Labour MP's have also given their backing to the measures.

Mike Amesbury MP said: "The 2004 Hunting Act was a key milestone to improve animal welfare. I want to see it strengthened. I welcome and support measures to ban Trail Hunting on Council-owned land."

Chester MP, Chris Matheson, alleged that "too many hunting groups had been ignoring the law" and have been "draining police resources".

Frodsham Nub News has contacted the Countryside Alliance for comment.

You can watch tomorrow's council debate at 6pm on the council website.