Celebs' plea to pass trophy-hunting ban

CELEBRITIES including actor Charles Dance, sportsman Eddie the Eagle and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes are urging MPs to back a trophy-hunting ban after the Bill was dealt a blow by a so-called "wrecking amendment" from a Tory backbencher.

Campaigners met in Parliament's Westminster Hall on Wednesday to rally support for the legislation, which would stop the import into Britain of body parts from big game animals killed abroad.

Other stars involved include sports presenter Gary Lineker, actress and presenter Dame Joanna Lumley and conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, who were not present at the event but signed a letter to The Times backing the ban.

But campaigners fear the House of Commons will be left inquorate when the Hunting Trophies Bill is put to a debate on Friday, as many MPs return to their constituencies at the end of the week.