A shocking video appears to show a hunt pursuing a fox - despite a 20-year ban.

The fox can be seen running across a field with a dog in hot pursuit, near the Cotswold village of Icomb, in Gloucestershire.

It runs into the brambles with ten dogs and a horse and rider close behind.

The incident, recorded at 3.30pm on December 16, took place during a trail hunt which critics say involved Heythrop Hunt.

Traditional fox hunting with dogs is illegal.

Shortly before Christmas, the government made a raft of new animal welfare announcements including a ban on the practice of trail hunting - a simulation of traditional fox hunting where organisers lay a scent trail for hounds and riders.

Supporters say this doesn't actually harm any animals, but critics say it is sometimes used as a smokescreen for actual hunting.

Lynn Sawyer, 58, a volunteer for the Three Counties Hunt Saboteur, who used to be a fox hunter, said: "If I hadn't been there they would have carried on."

"By turning up we save lives."

"If they hadn't managed to stop them, the hounds would definitely have killed that fox."

The hunt called off the dogs, Lynn said who claims she confronted the hunt, and members left the area.

Gloucestershire Constabulary have been informed Lynn said

She said: "Fox hunts pretend they are following trails but what I saw was a fox being chased by a hunt hound into brambles."

Heythrop Hunt has been approached for comment.