The Government is to force hunts to apply for a licence every 28 days in a desperate attempt to save its controversial Hunting Bill.

But hunt supporters say the 28-day licensing rule would tie huntsmen in red tape and effectively kill the pursuit.

To obtain the licence, hunts must prove a fox is causing a nuisance and there is no less cruel method of killing the animal.

This alone would make hunting in Sussex almost impossible, as shooting is considered less cruel.

Forcing hunts to pass the same tests every 28 days would "rip the heart out of the pursuit," according to enthusiasts.

But the legislation may be scrapped altogether if anti-hunt MPs refuse to support the move and push for an outright ban.

Rural affairs minister Alun Michael knows he is facing a bitter battle to save the legislation, which will return to the Commons on Monday June 30.

More than 120 Labour backbenchers have already signed an amendment turning the Bill into an outright ban.

Mr Michael hopes the licensing clause will buy their support in the crucial vote on the legislation's Third Reading.

But he is privately warning the Labour MPs they could lose the Bill altogether if they table their "wrecking' amendment.

The MPs - who believed they had a guarantee the Parliament Act would be used to force through a total ban if this was the will of the Commons - will be furious.

But Mr Michael, under strong pressure from Tony Blair to find a compromise, has told them he will not use the Act to push through bad legislation.

His desperation was revealed in a leaked letter to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott earlier this week.

Mr Michael admits: "The report stage will be crucial and the politics of this remain quite difficult.

"Some MPs - and the League Against Cruel Sports - hanker after the quick fix, a complete ban.

"They want to say they are voting for a complete ban on hunting, focusing particularly on foxes. If they go for such an amendment, it would be a wrecking amendment."

The Countryside Alliance yesterday turned up the political heat by urging Mr Michael to drop the Bill and end its "discrimination against a decent, responsible minority."

Simon Hart, director of the Campaign for Hunting, published an NOP poll showing just two per cent of those questioned believed hunting should be a political priority.

The poll shows the public gives higher priority to issues like the NHS, asylum seekers, education and antisocial behaviour.