BAY MP Adrian Sanders has won the League Against Cruel Sports' Parliamentarian of the Year Award.

Mr Sanders has voted strongly in favour of the ban on hunting with dogs and has supported a number of other League Against Cruel Sports campaigns.

Presenting the award, the league's chief executive Douglas Batchelor said: "Adrian has been a consistent and hard working supporter of our cause in Westminster.

"He has spoken at our events, signed supportive Parliamentary motions, asked questions of ministers and the BBC, and overall has been a great help to our work for animal welfare."

Mr Sanders said he was delighted to receive the award.

He said: "It is clear from the opinion polls that the British population oppose hunting with hounds but it is often all too easy for politicians to give in to the vocal minority who support such cruel activities.

"I strongly believe that we must take a principled stand on this issue and insist that it is always wrong to abuse animals.

"If species need to have their population controlled, there are kinder methods that can be used and above all this should not be used as an excuse for people to gain pleasure from the suffering of animals."