Wantage Conservative parliamentary candidate Robert Jackson has said that abolishing foxhunting will destroy a rural way of life.

Mr Jackson, pictured with huntsman Michael Scott at the kennels of the old Berkshire hunt near Faringdon, defended rural communities already hit by BSE and foot and mouth disease.

The hunt, which is based in Stanford Road, just outside the town, suffered a major blow this year after being forced to cancel its traditional point-to-point in Lockinge - one of its biggest annual fundraisers.

Mr Jackson said: "I'm opposed to the abolition of fox hunting on principle.

"The tragedy of foot and mouth brings home the message that we can't mess around with the countryside in a casual way. It would be destroying another part of the rural way of life."

He also called for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to help the UK's struggling farmers.