WESTMINSTER heavyweight Hilary Benn took to the streets of Carmarthenshire yesterday.

He joined the campaign trail of Labour candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Nick Ainger.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs joined Mr Ainger in Carmarthen's Guildhall Square on Monday to raise awareness of the hunting ban.

Nick Ainger was first elected as Labour MP for Pembrokeshire — and later Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire — in 1992.

The seat has been targeted by volunteer group Vote-OK, which is hoping to unseat MPs who voted in favour of the hunting ban.

The group helps candidates who support the repeal of the Hunting Act, and was formed as a direct consequence of the ban on hunting. It's thrown its weight behind Conservative Simon Hart, who is in favour of repealing the 2004 act which led to the hunting ban. Mr Hart is also chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, which is also calling for a repeal of the Act.

Mr Benn, contesting the Leeds Central seat, outlined his reasons for joining Mr Ainger in Carmarthen: "I'm here to support Nick, who I've known for many years and to talk about the hunting ban and keep it in place, and not let the Tories bring it back."

He stressed the ban was never a town versus country or a class issue, adding: "Plenty of people in Wales don't like fox hunting."

Asked whether he was lending support because of the involvement of pro- hunting group Vote-Ok, Mr Benn said: "It's not surprising that those who support hunting are trying to get Conservative candidates elected.

"Everyone who thinks that allowing foxes to be torn apart for sport should understand that there is a great deal at stake in this election."

He added: "This is an issue of animal cruelty straight — you either think it is or not."

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bruce.sinclair@swwmedia.co.uk