The government will today reveal its next move on hunting as the bill to ban it returns to the floor of the Commons.

In the face of intense backbench criticism the government last week withdrew a compromise motion which would have allowed hunting to continue in some areas.

That paved the way for a victory for the anti-hunt lobby led by Labour MP Tony Banks. The bill as it currently stands will ban all hunting.

Following the defeat, the government said the legislation would have to be sent back to committee - where MPs examined how it could reconcile a total ban with other aspects of the legislation.

Ahead of today's announcement the opposition has attacked ministers, claiming the legislation is now in tatters.

The bill appears set to face significant opposition in the House of Lords.

Peers are preparing to reverse the decision - a move which will create a legislative stalemate between the two Houses of Parliament.

The government has not ruled out using the Parliament Act - which gives the Commons the right to impose its will - if peers do not back down.

While scores of Labour MPs and senior ministers backed the outright ban, the prime minister did not vote.