Tenby councillors have said 'neigh' to welcoming hunt riders back into the centre of the town this year.

South Pembrokeshire Hunt Master, Hugh Harrison-Allen, had written to the town council to see if they would be able to hold one of their hunts in Tudor Square again this year as part of their annual Hunt Week programme.

Last November when the hunt rode into town, they were greeted by an angry reception from demonstrators, mainly from local branches of the League Against Cruel Sports and Animal Aid, who held up banners urging against any moves to repeal the Hunting Act.

It was the second year that the hunt had returned to Tudor Square after a previous absence of 17 years.

When the question was posed to councillors at their meeting on Tuesday night as to whether the hunt would be invited back again this year, Clr. Mrs. Trisha Putwain said that she would propose refusal of the idea.

"I don't think we should be seen to be encouraging the idea of hunting; it's a sensitive political issue that we shouldn't get involved with.

"Some of the comments that were heard from visitors to the town after last year's hunt visit were along the lines of 'I didn't realise Tenby condoned this kind of thing', and I think that those who came to oppose the hunt far outweighed those it attracted to the town," she stated.

Her colleague, Clr. Mrs. Tish Rossiter, disagreed and felt that the hunt should be welcomed back into the town again.

"Putting the political aspect aside, it's the theatre of the hunt riding into town that people want to see," she said. "I think that it brought people into the town during the winter season and if those taking part are following the law, then I don't see a problem with it,."

After a tied vote of four against the hunt returning and four in favour, the Mayor used her casting vote to decide that the hunt should not hold their meet in Tudor Square this year.