Hunt supporters have taken their campaign against a ban to the gates of the Palace of Westminster.

Ahead of votes by both the Commons and the Lords on hunting, people taking part in protests at Westminster warned they are likely to become more militant in their attempts to stop the government from banning their sport.

Downing Street signalled that the prime minister, who will vote for a ban on hunting, would not be moved by violent protests.

"What the prime minister hopes is that there will be an intelligent debate. That does not sound infusive to an intelligent debate," said the official spokesman.

At one stage more than 250 hunt protestors blocked part of Parliament Square causing traffic chaos as a way of showing they are prepared to take up direct action.

"This is nothing to what will happen in the future. Some organisers are saying they could bring a million people to London," said protestor Mike Burman from Bedford.

"There are people who are prepared to be more militant, particularly the hunt people from Wales. There's a lot of really heart-felt feeling; I don't think the next march will be so peaceful," he told ePolitix.com.

The protestors say the Monday night vote by the Commons and the Tuesday vote by Lords will not be the end of the issue.

"This week will not be the end of the issue. The Lords are likely to overturn the Commons vote and it will be kicked around for years after," said Tony Hawley from Leicestershire. "It will go to Europe even when it finishes here."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said Monday afternoon's protest had been counter-productive.

"The protestors did themselves no favours at all by bringing causing gridlock to an important part of London. We have no problem with protest as long as it does not interfere with people who wish to go about their business," said a spokesman.