“The one thing Mr Thomas doesn't mention is the known links to NI paramilitaries. Given his crusading, and somewhat jaundiced, views and extremely tenuous links I'm only surprised he hasn't blamed field sports for mass unemployment, global warming and world poverty.”

“Actually, dog fighting and badger baiting gangs are almost invariably urban-based, as is apparent from the addresses given by those successfully prosecuted. I'm surprised hunters aren't also accused of being paedophiles - perhaps that's to be the subject of the next letter.”

“I recently received a leaflet from Dan Norris MP. It was obviously electioneering correspondence but all it told me was how he was instrumental in getting fox hunting banned. I was surprised that he could find nothing of more import to write about in view of such major issues like immigration or the recession, education or the NHS!

Let me make it clear, I do not like any form of cruelty and I don't intend getting into the fox hunting issue.

All I will say is that, had Dan Norris, as a child, witnessed his mum in floods of tears because a fox had broken in and decimated the hen house overnight, like I did several times, he would not be quite so bothered about fox hunting!”