The Countryside Alliance has said that over 10,000 people could take part in its "liberty and livelihood" march on London in September.

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "The recent hints by the government that it might be prepared to accede to the prejudiced demands of its backbenchers for a hunting ban have lit the fuse for an explosion of wider frustration and anger amongst rural people over the unwarranted political attacks on their values and ways of life.

"This has been exacerbated by the negligence of politicians in failing to address constructively real problems and priorities of the countryside such as jobs, affordable homes, transport and services.

"The aim of the march is to give dramatic voice to the solidarity of rural people against irresponsible political interference. It is vital for people to stand up and be counted and everyone who intended to march last year, should recruit a friend or family member to join them this year. This way we can send our politicians a message they will simply not be able to avoid."