THE tactics of animal activists who tried to attack riders on a hunt with fireworks have been called "terrorism".

Seven incendiary devices, believed to be display-strength rockets, were discovered on the route of a hunt in Hever, near Sevenoaks, on Saturday.

Members of the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Hunt averted the danger when they smelled burning and uncovered time-delay fuses set to fire the rockets. Some 90 horses were taking part in the hunt including children on ponies.

Graeme Worsley, joint master of the hunt, said: "If you have a firework going off under a horse and its rider you are talking about a potential fatality. These people have a blatant disregard for the safety of anyone, horses or people. It is terrorism, it is nothing to do with animal welfare."

The group has been attacked before. Last October its inaugural hunt was disrupted by activists throwing fireworks, and Mr Worsley was once dragged off his horse and beaten.

The issue of hunting has divided opinion for decades and violent acts of sabotage have been aimed at hunts for more than 30 years.

Parliament last year voted to ban hunting from February 18, but that may now be pushed back as much as a year while pro-hunting groups prepare a legal challenge.

Mr Worsley said: "I have no problem with people standing with banners. But these people wear balaclavas. They turn up in Land Rovers and they've got sprays, whips, hammers and fireworks. It doesn't bear thinking about what would have happened if the fireworks had gone off."

West Kent Police arrived at the scene of the intended ambush just two minutes after being called by hunt members.

A spokeswoman for the campaign group the League Against Cruel Sports said the organisation does not condone any action outside the law.

She said: "There are hunt saboteurs who sabotage hunts and there are people like the League who campaign within the law to get a ban on hunting. We understand and sympathise with the animal activists but we do not condone what they do."

An investigation is now being launched into the incident. Anyone with information should call West Kent Police on 01732 370732 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.