Charges have been dropped against a man accused of deliberately driving his car over a hunt saboteur, it emerged today.

An anti-hunt group has condemned the Crown Prosecution Service's decision to end the case against Martin Maynard.

Hunt saboteur Steve Christmas was critically injured in a collision with Mr Maynard's 4x4 off-roader during a protest near a meet of the Old Surrey and Burstow Fox Hounds in Horsted Keynes on September 1 last year.

Supporters of Mr Christmas, 42, of Bolney, near Haywards Heath, alleged that two wheels of the 4x4 ran over the protester.

He was airlifted to the Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath and spent four weeks in intensive care with a crushed pelvis, internal bleeding and four broken ribs.

Mr Maynard faced a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Dawn Preston of the Hunt Saboteurs Association said 18 anti-hunt protesters still faced charges relating to broken windows at the hunt kennels.

She said: "This decision represents a travesty of justice but we will not let this be the end."

A CPS spokesman said: "Following the receipt of fresh evidence and considering counsel's advice it was decided there was no longer sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction."

The incident took place close to the home of author and animal welfare campaigner Carla Lane.

She said she was not a supporter of animal rights groups, but added: "It seems to me that the law is very much on the side of the huntsmen.

"It is awful that a man can be so badly hurt and no one be prosecuted for it."