The ban on fox hunting has resulted in an increase in the suffering of foxes, according to new research.

A study commissioned by the Middle Way Group found that shooting resulted in more suffering to foxes than hunting with dogs because many are injured and left to die slowly.

The study, reported in Animal Welfare, the journal of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, has shown that up to half of all foxes shot are wounded and not killed outright.

The MWG commissioned the study in 2002 and it has just been thoroughly peer reviewed.

It contradicts pre-ban claims by some animal rights groups that shooting is more humane than hunting a fox using dogs.

James Cookson, joint master of the Morpeth Hunt in Northumberland, said: "I'm amazed it's taken them two years to work that out, a blind man could have done it. But I think this Government is made up of blind and bigoted individuals.

"On our last day of last season it took three shots to kill the fox and that was a trained gunman.

"If they are not shot they will be snared and if they are not shot or snared they will be gassed, with fox hunting it is all or nothing and the fox is killed absolutely instantly."

Lembit Öpik, co-founder of the Middle Way Group, said: "The research proves conclusively that the pro-ban groups were plain wrong.

"Many end up dying over hours, days or even weeks."

A League Against Cruel Sports spokesman said: "All this study shows is that people who don't know how to shoot shouldn't be allowed near a gun.

"They should be required to pass a proficiency test first."