HOUNDS from the Cheshire Forest Hunt caused danger and delays for Knutsford drivers, it was claimed this week.

A woman, who asked not be named, said on Monday that motorists, already travelling slowly, were forced to break to avoid hitting the 'runaway' dogs on the A50.

"The hunters tried to keep the hounds under control but they couldn't," she told the Knutsford Guardian. "The dogs just ran from the woods into the roads causing danger to drivers.

"The road was fairly busy and it could have caused a serious accident." But yesterday Alex Park, who led the Knutsford hunt on Saturday, dismissed the claims as 'utter rubbish'. "I was in charge and I know that we kept all the hounds under control," he said. "They all have a name and they know to stay close to their master's horse.

"This allegation is just another attempt to put the hunt down."

Police stopped the traffic twice to allow the hunters and their hounds to cross the main road.

But Sergeant Kevin Chambers said there was no danger to the hounds or the motorists.

"The hunt needed to cross the road twice and there was a marked police presence on both occasions," he said yesterday. "The traffic was stopped before they started crossing so there were no near misses - no danger at all."

The latest claims against the Cheshire Forest Hunt came just days after the Countdown to the Ban campaign was launched by MPs.

Senior MPs from the three main parties have joined forces to co-ordinate the countdown to a ban on hunting with dogs.

"We have to deliver a ban on hunting," said Labour MP Tony Banks. "This is an issue of credibility for the Government and the democratic accountability of MPs."

The campaigners hope the bill on hunting will pass through Parliament this year.

mgillies@guardiangrp.co.uk