ANIMAL activists have slammed bosses at Hanbury Hall after a controversial new hunting licence was issued for the country retreat.

Animal welfare charity The League Against Cruel Sports has written to the management of Hanbury Hall urging them to block licenses which allow hunting packs to access the land.

They say doing this will help prevent wild animals from being chased and slaughtered by hounds.

Chris Luffingham, from the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "The Hanbury Hall estate is a local treasure which showcases British nature at its best.

"Allowing a hunt to trample across the land, taking part in an activity which many people believe involves the killing of animals, completely goes against that philosophy.

“With over 85 per cent of the public opposing all forms of hunting wild animals with hounds – including a considerable number of National Trust members and visitors to properties like Hanbury Hall – it is high time the conservation body provided protection to wildlife by stopping licensing hunting on its land.”

In its letter the charity cites how horses, hounds and followers are being granted free access to sections of Hanbury Hall, which the National Trust maintains on behalf of the nation.

Mr Luffingham urged bosses to block those seeking to hunt wildlife on its land but said now it has been done they must show the public how they will ensure animals are kept safe.

“It’s sad that this licence has been issued," he said.

"We need to hear from them as to exactly how they will prevent foxes being killed by the hunt.”

The National Trust says it has brought in measures to ensure hunts don’t kill animals on its land.

However, organisations including the The League Against Cruel Sports believe these to be inadequate.

A spokesman from The National Trust said that it is not giving interviews or commenting on this.

A poll carried out last year by Ipsos MORI, a market research company, showed 85 per cent of Brits opposed all forms of hunting wild animals with hounds.