A FORMER parliamentary candidate for Copeland and county councillor has supported the pause on trails in Cumbria, until an investigation is complete.

County councillor for Keswick Tony Lywood has supported a pause to trail hunting on National Trust and Lake District National Park land until police complete an investigation.

Police are investigating after a leaked webinar showed members of the hunt community discussing how to get away with the activity.

Mr Lywood said: "As a county councillor I have to say this. Hunting wild animals with dogs is an illegal activity whilst drag or trail hunting is not. The Hunting Office webinar made it shockingly clear how to avoid the law and continue hunting wild animals.

"Until the police finish their investigation into this it is right and proper that the Lake District National Park and the National Trust suspend such activity on their land. If it is found that hunts are using trail or drag hunting as a smokescreen or veil for killing foxes with dogs then in my view such a suspension should be made permanent.

"It is also time to tighten up and clarify the law so wrong doers are prosecuted and those who are legal and legitimate are left alone to trail hunt in a lawful manner."