ILLEGAL hunting in Wales is to be targeted by an animal welfare charity.

The League Against Cruel Sports is to invest more than £1million over the next four years on hiring investigation staff and equipment to gather evidence and get hunts into court.

Despite polling showing that three quarters of the public support the ban, the League believes that the majority of hunts are flouting the law.

Chief executive Joe Duckworth said: "This is the seventh hunting season under the ban, but all the evidence suggests that hunts are getting more lawless than ever. Appointing investigations officers around the country will enable us to increase our efforts in gathering evidence for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service."

The League employs retired police officers who review evidence and provide training.