I WAS privy to an argument recently in a local pub. The topic was fox hunting -- a pastime I am earnestly against.

These three or four agile young men had obviously been at the bar much longer than I had been in the pub, so I reluctantly kept out of the boisterous debate.

The discussion became more and more volatile until finally, the landlord stepped in and put an end to the near-fracas.

When I got home, I could not concentrate. My head was full of the arguments I had heard. The emotive language, the expletives, the pro-foxhunting side labelling those against as "ill-informed, left-wing townies," and those calling those who ride "toffee-nosed, sadistic aristocrats."

We live in a democracy. It isn't perfect but decisions of this nature have to be made. If there was a referendum, it would be no contest, as a vast majority is against this 'sport.' The obvious way forward will have to be a debate in the Commons and a sensible decision arrived at.

Yes, we are all aware that the House of Lords has threatened to overturn the decision, but if this government is really honest in its belief that foxhunting should be banned and knowing the general public's feelings towards this activity, legislation could and should be brought in at a very early date.

Everything should be taken into consideration, especially the loss of jobs. After all, we "ill-informed left wing townies" have a lot of experience of unemployment and redundancies. We could advise the affected workers how to put their skills to other country involvements such as wild life husbandry.

The government should play its part with grant aid to areas where they could prove hardship due to the banning of this 'way of life.'

Contrary to the pro-hunting lobby, it is not an argument between countryside dwellers and townspeople -- there are just as many countryfolk against this so-called 'sport' as there are for it, if not more.

As for Mr A Pilkington's remarks (Letters, June 27) on behalf of the Lancashire branch of the Countryside Alliance, I found them incoherent and full of red herrings.

BILL GOLDSMITH, Garsden Avenue, Knuzden, Blackburn.