A HOLLYWOOD star is backing the ban on ‘barbaric’ fox hunting.

Mirfield celebrity Patrick Stewart supported the launch of the Back the Ban campaign alongside Wakefield MP Mary Creagh.

December 26 will be the fifth Boxing Day since the bill to ban hunting with dogs was introduced by the Labour Government.

Colne Valley Beagles and Rockwood Harriers of Denby Dale, will be hunting on Saturday – but there will be no fox.

Ms Creagh said she believed if the Conservatives win the next election they will re-introduce fox hunting.

“David Cameron talked about hunting in his first ever speech in parliament and he said that if he becomes Prime Minister he will get rid of the hunting ban as soon as possible.

“But like the vast majority of people in Wakefield and Huddersfield I think the barbaric act of letting dogs tear foxes to pieces shouldn’t return”, she said.

But the Countryside Alliance has launched its Hunting for Repeal campaign.

Spokesman Steve Clark said: “People will be out in force on Boxing Day wanting to give their support to hunting and against this ridiculous law.”