Hunters in the North East say they may inadvertently break Scottish laws when they take their dogs across the border in pursuit of foxes.

The Border Hunt says this is because the activity is outlawed in Scotland but not England.

They plan to continue pursuing foxes north of the border but will operate in Scotland as a "gun pack", which will shoot foxes instead of killing them with hounds.

However, the hunt says there may be times when the dogs get ahead of them and kill the fox - contrary to Scottish law.

'Police understanding'

Master of the Border Hunt Michael Hedley said: "We would then be unwittingly breaking the law, but that is not our intention.

"The police have been very understanding. They know the practicalities of what the law says will not be easy to put into operation."

The Border Hunt, whose kennels are based at Overacres Farm, Otterburn, Northumberland, operates for eight months a year.

A few weeks ago an appeal against a hunting ban in Scotland, imposed by the Scottish Parliament, was thrown out.

As well as the Border Hunt, the College Valley and North Northumberland Hunt, and the West Percy Hunt, also hunt in the Scottish Borders area.

The Scottish Campaign Against Hunting with Dogs has said it is "happy this barbaric sport will no longer be practised on Scottish soil".