PRESSURE piled on the government to stick to its promise to outlaw animal snare traps in England, as a new survey released today showed strong public backing for the ban.

The noose-like traps, which catch animals around the neck, are banned in Scotland and Wales but remain legal in England.

Campaigners from the League Against Cruel Sports are urging Labour to follow through on its pledge to ban them, promised in last year’s general election manifesto.

The campaigners have published new YouGov data which shows that 71 per cent of people living in England support the ban.

The survey, which polled 1,954 adults, found that this rose to 80 per cent among those living in rural areas.

The poll revealed support for the ban across political spectrum, with 67 per cent support among Conservative voters, 74 per cent for Labour, and 81 per cent for Liberal Democrats.

A motion was tabled in Parliament last week calling for the immediate ban on the snares.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs confirmed that the government “will ban the use of cruel snare traps that are so damaging to wildlife and pets.”

Chris Luffingham, acting chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “This polling highlights the revulsion felt by so many people at the pain and suffering these cruel devices cause — we look forward to snares being consigned to the history books.”

The group has warned that up to 200,000 snares could lie hidden in the English countryside.