The Government has been warned there will be "hell to pay" if it fails to deliver on its promise to ban hunting within the next fortnight.

Brighton's anti-hunting MPs Des Turner and David Lepper say the Government must face down opposition to a ban on the sport to retain the support of Labour backbenchers.

A struggle by Labour MPs to outlaw hunting with dogs will reach its climax next week.

If the Government fails to introduce the ban it will face backbenchers' fury in the run-up to the Labour Party conference in Brighton.

Dr Turner, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said: "I think there will be hell to pay if they don't do it. There will be a lot of angry backbenchers if it doesn't happen."

Tony Blair promised to introduce a ban within this Parliament seven years ago.

The pledge has been used by the Government to shore up support among backbenchers on more controversial issues.

A Bill introducing a complete ban on hunting with dogs has already been rejected by the Lords once and is expected to meet the same fate again.

However, if it is rejected twice in consecutive Parliamentary sessions, Commons Speaker Michael Martin can invoke the Parliament Act to drive the legislation through, regardless of how peers vote.

The Parliamentary session runs out in November and the Lords must be given a full calendar month to debate the Bill if the Parliament Act is to be used.

This leaves a tight timeframe for its reintroduction. MPs expect Leader of the House Peter Hain to announce the Bill will be revived next week.

Mid Sussex Tory MP Nicholas Soames said: "This is a monstrous attempt to shore up support among absurd Labour MPs and will do nothing for the welfare of foxes."