A CUMBRIAN hunt monitor has said that National Trust members voting to ban trail hunting is 'fantastic'.

The hunt monitor, who asked not be named 'for her own safety', said that it was 'outstanding' that National Trust members voted to ban trail hunting amid fears it is being used as a 'smokescreen' for chasing and killing foxes.

Members supported a motion not to allow the activity on Trust land, with those who proposed it stating that 'overwhelming evidence leads to the conclusion that trail hunting is a cover for hunting with dogs'.

A total of 76,816 votes were cast for the motion, with 38,184 votes against and 18,047 abstentions.

The results of the vote are not binding, but the board of trustees is expected to consider the outcome following Saturday's annual general meeting.

Trail hunting was devised after the Hunting Act banned the hunting of foxes with dogs.

A 'trail layer' goes out ahead of the hunt, dragging a rag coated in an animal scent.

Huntsmen cast the hounds to this scent, and follow it to the end of the trail.

The hunt monitor, who lives in central Cumbria, said that trail hunters have been using the practice as a 'smokescreen'.

She said that she has been monitoring hunts for nearly five years and has never seen a trail layer.

"Some of the places you see [the hounds] are too dangerous for people to walk on," she said.

"These guys are still going in, day in, day out, doing it. They haven’t stopped.

"Nothing has stopped for them, apart from the words trail hunt."

A National Trust spokesperson said: “We are not currently issuing licenses for any trail hunting activities.

“The votes cast by members on the resolutions are advisory and will help us make decisions in the weeks to come.

"Later this autumn, our Board of Trustees will meet and reflect on the outcomes of the resolutions. We will update members as soon as possible.”