Fox hunting could return to the countryside by 2022 after Theresa May said MPs will get a free vote on lifting the current ban on the blood sport if the Conservatives win the general election.

There had been fears among the pro-hunting lobby that Mrs May was about to drop the commitment to a free vote from the Conservative manifesto which is due to be published next week.

However, speaking in Leeds the Prime Minister confirmed she had always been in favour of hunting and said there will be a free vote on lifting the ban in England and Wales in the next parliament.