Rosie Cooper MP is helping to launch a national campaign to support the ban on hunting wild animals with dogs.

The 'Back the Ban' campaign was launched on Boxing Day by Hilary Benn MP and a host of celebrities including Tony Robinson and Patrick Stewart.

Boxing Day was the fifth anniversary since the bill to ban hunting with dogs was passed. The ban has already resulted in dozens of prosecutions, and the forecast dire effects on rural communities have not come to pass.

But the Hunting Act is under threat as pro-hunt activists prepare to spend thousands of pounds in backing Tory candidates committed to bringing back the cruel sport.

Rosie has been a passionate defender of the Hunting Act and was on hand to protest the last Waterloo Cup coursing tournament in 2005.

Rosie Cooper MP said: "For David Cameron, getting the Act repealed is a top priority. He used to hunt, until his PR advisers told him not to; he talked about hunting in his first ever speech to Parliament; and he has said that if he becomes Prime Minister he will get rid of the hunting ban as soon as possible.

"But, like the vast majority of people in West Lancashire, I think that barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces with their teeth shouldn't return to our countryside.

That's why I'm supporting www.backtheban.com and I'm urging everyone in West Lancashire to sign up to the 'Back the Ban' campaign too. "

The Tory's animal welfare spokesperson has made it clear that if elected they will bring back hunting with dogs. And they have said they will do it soon after being elected if they win the General Election.

The Tory stance is in spite of both overwhelming public support for the ban and the many other priorities of the British public. According to a recent Ipsos Mori poll, three quarters of the population do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again. The same poll showed that 72% of the rural population want to keep the ban in place.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "If you think the Tories have changed, their views on fox hunting with dogs make it absolutely clear that their priorities haven't.  They know the public doesn't agree with them on this, but they are determined to go ahead if they are given the chance. That's why we need to continue to campaign to stop this barbaric 'sport' from returning to our land and to join www.backtheban.com."