Tony Blair will back a ban on hunting when MPs vote on the issue later tonight.

Ahead of "indicative votes" in the Commons and the Lords, the prime minister's official spokesman confirmed that the PM would back the stance of the majority of Labour MPs and vote for an outright ban on hunting with hounds.

The statement prompted accusations of cynicism from opponents, following hints that Blair would be prepared to give his support to the "middle way" option of increased regulation.

The spokesman said the government still hoped to find "consensus" on the issue.

"We want to listen to what will hopefully be an intelligent debate and then Alun Michael will make a statement on the way ahead, before the House rises for Easter," said Number 10.

The debate will allow the first parliamentary vote on the issue since last June's general election, though it will be the fourth vote on the issue since Labour came to power.

In the Commons the arguments have been well-rehearsed, although the "middle way" option of allowing licensed hunts to continue in a closely monitored way appears to be gaining ground.

Soon after the 1997 general election MPs overwhelmingly backed the Labour MP Michael Foster's private member's bill which would have banned hunting with hounds.

They also supported a move by Ken Livingstone to ban hunting and voted for an outright ban when the government brought forward an "a la carte" bill which presented options ranging from the status quo to a total ban.

Whilst the Commons is expected to deliver a clear verdict condemning hunting, opinion in the House of Lords is more divided.

After the Commons vote tonight, peers will debate the issue in the House of Lords tomorrow - 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.

While voting for a total ban tonight, Tony Blair is expected to seek a compromise on banning hunting.

He is said to be worried that a total ban could inflame opinion in rural Britain and further damage the rural economy just as it begins to recover from the foot and mouth epidemic.

But over 170 MPs from across the three main parties have signed a Commons motion demanding a total ban.

The motion attacks the "licensed cruelty" of the middle way option.

Protesters are expected to gather outside parliament today - just as they have on a series of occasions when parliament has debated the issue.

Pro-hunt groups say they will keep up the pressure on ministers despite the lack of support for their cause amongst MPs.

A spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: "The Alliance remains confident that the government is seeking a solution that respects both human rights and animal welfare.

"The Alliance will however continue to warn government of the consequences of any ban on hunting - which would not help a single family in the UK and would harm many."

Once the Commons and Lords have made their collective view known, the rural affairs minister, Alun Michael, is expected to announce that the government will proceed with legislation.

His announcement is expected to come before MPs break for the Easter recess next week.

The bill, which could result in a showdown between MPs and peers, is likely to be introduced early in the next session to give it time to progress through both Houses.

Some Labour MPs are calling on the government to re-introduce legislation from the last parliament immediately after the Easter recess and argue that the Parliament Act should be invoked to impose the will of the Commons on the upper house.