HUNDREDS of “bloodthirsty and shameful” suspected illegal fox hunting incidents took place across Britain in just over a month, according to an animal welfare charity.

The figures from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) were published to coincide with the Boxing Day hunts, where thousands of people gathered to kill foxes using hounds.

Anti-hunt campaigners issued fresh demands to strengthen hunting laws that allow trail hunting due to a loophole.