MPs are set for a showdown with the House Lords following last night's overwhelming vote to ban fox hunting.

Faced with "indicative votes" on three options - self-regulation, a licensing regime and a complete ban - Labour MPs strongly backed a ban on hunting with hounds in England and Wales.

Over 380 anti-hunt MPs from all parties were joined by the prime minister in voting for a total ban. Just 175 MPs voted against a ban, with 371 voting against the middle way option.The strength of the vote, roughly the same as the last time the Commons voted on the issue, indicates that MPs are in no mood to compromise.

The Liberal Democrat Norman Baker said the hunting issue had been debated enough times since Labour came into government.

"We've had three votes on this issue since 1997. Parliament has spent 125 hours and 47 minutes debating it and the clock has been started again today. No-one can be in any doubt as to the view of the House of Commons," he said.

"It's an abdication of responsibility on the government benches. For goodness sake, put this issue to bed - it's gone on long enough."

Pro-hunt supporters accused the government of using the bill as a sop to Labour backbenchers in exchange for supporting transport minister Stephen Byers.

Shadow minister for agriculture Ann Winterton said the countryside had already suffered enough and accused the government of "spiteful vandalism" against a community still reeling from the effects of foot and mouth.

"In the current climate of rural crisis this debate is an unacceptable distraction from the real issues that affect the countryside," she said before accusing ministers of "buying off the hounds on the Labour benches".

"The deal to save the secretary of state for transport for the time being has not gone unnoticed by the people of Britain."

Former Tory leader William Hague joined the debate in support of hunting, saying it was vital in his constituency."I am surrounded by predators, not only in the Commons. Foxes are predators; they are not subjected to the moral responsibilities or right and wrong," he said before attacking anti-hunt groups. "They think that if you ban fox hunting the fox will be deeply grateful and would go around helping out at lambing time."

But behind the scenes the government is seeking a compromise deal as the House of Lords debates the issue today.

Opinion in the Upper House is more divided, where support for the sport remains strong.

The House of Lords has voted once on the issue since Labour came to power - angering the elected House of Commons by backing the status quo.

Peers are likely to agree to a licensed option as a compromise - setting the scene for a clash with MPs.

Some Labour backbenchers are calling on ministers to use the Parliament Act to force through the party's manifesto pledge for a hunt ban.

After the Lords makes its position known tonight, the rural affairs minister Alun Michael will begin preparing a statement setting out his plans.

He is expected to set out the government's proposed course of action in the House of Commons on Thursday.