A FAMILY of fox-hunters fear losing their livelihood and say they will do everything they can to protect their way of life.

The Blakeneys say they have suffered years of abuse, but are determined to carry on, despite Government plans to ban fox-hunting.

Veronica Blakeney, known as Wonka, joined thousands of demonstrators in London on Wednesday to denounce the Government’s plans.

She gave her support to an invasion of Parliament Square by thousands of protesters in a bid to help kill a Bill that could rob her husband of his job and the couple of their home. The Blakeney family stand to lose everything if the Bill to end fox-hunting in two years time gains support in the Commons and Lords.

Mrs Blakeney's husband, Richard, is a key figure in East Kent hunting circles. A professional huntsman, he helps run the East Kent Hunt's 38 meetings a season. He also controls East Kent Hunt Kennels in Elham, the base from which he produces 80 hounds to work with the hunt.

Sixty-two-year-old Mr Blakeney and his 55 year-old wife have been the victims of a barrage of abuse from anti-hunt campaign groups for many years. But having survived physical and verbal assaults, and other forms of intimidation, the Blakeneys are ready to fight.

Mrs Blakeney said: "We have nothing to lose. We will take every opportunity to lodge a protest. We are not going to stop now. That's why we are represented at every protest and demonstration organised.

"We are fighting for our home and our childrens home. We want our views heard. We are prepared to break the law to get our message across. If necessary, we will clog-up the courts to stop this Bill destroying our life.

"We just want them to go away and leave us alone. We are working a 60 hour week and no politician is going to rob us of something we have worked so hard to achieve.

"We have both been physically attacked. We've had abusive phone-calls and visits from people in black balaclavas, shouting obscenities.

"I've been on my own when some of these visits have been made. It's gone on for more than 10 years, yet we have nothing against those opposed to field sports. In a democracy, everybody has a right to an opinion. Freedom of choice is all we ask.

"If hunting was banned, the hounds would have to be put down. They couldn't be re-homed because they are working dogs, not pets."

Two staff members at Elham also face the threat of redundancy. Nick Bycroft, the East Kent Hunt's Whisper-in, and a groom would lose their jobs.

East Kent Hunt joint master David Potter estimates that at least 25 people associated with the hunt would lose their jobs if hunting was banned.

He pledged "powerful lobbying" to safeguard the livelihoods of farriers, vets, saddlers, farmers and other groups associated with hunting.

The East Kent Hunt, which operates from Canterbury to New Romney and from Folkestone to the East Sussex border, has gained powerful support from Opposition leader Michael Howard, MP for Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh; Julian Brazier, MP for Canterbury and Whitstable; and Damian Green, MP for Ashford.

Mr Potter said: "We will argue our case at every opportunity. We won't go away."