Hunters lose track over Trust land

Stag hunters were yesterday stopped from pursuing the National Trust through the High Court over its decision to ban deer hunting on its land.

Mr Justice Tucker ruled that, because the trust is a charity, he had no jurisdiction to order a review of its policies.

Matthew Knight, a solicitor representing the hunters, said he was considering challenging the "unfortunate" decision in the Court of Appeal or applying to the Charity Commissioners directly. But he admitted there was no chance that the West Country hunts would be able to use National Trust land when the deer-hunting season begins on 1 August.