Rocker turned anti-hunting campaigner has thanked Dominic Raab MP for his support in fighting amendments to the Hunting Act.

Brian May, guitar player in the world famous band Queen, praised people who wrote to their MP before the vote on fox hunting. The vote was due to take place on Wednesday, July 15, but was postponed.

Mr Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, indicated he would not be lending support to the proposals to amend the act and wrote: "It is clear that hunting foxes with dogs causes acute suffering to the fox.

"There is reasonable debate around other ways to effectively control foxes - by snares, shooting or other means."

Dr May said many MP's received more than 1,000 emails within three days from people demonstrating how important animal welfare is to them.

He said: "I would particularly like to thank your MP Dominic Raab who I know indicated that he was going to vote against the proposals.

"I have learned from my time inside Parliament lobbying on animal welfare that it is still hard for MP's to go against their own leaderships plans, even when it is a free vote.

"Dominic was incredibly brave to stand up for our foxes especially under real pressure from the pro-hunt lobby."