Campaigners hoping for a swift repeal to the hunt ban have been dealt a blow after a poll suggested a majority of MPs are in favour of keeping the law.

Senior Conservatives had promised a free vote if the party won a majority in the Commons in the general election.

However, there is no sign of the coalition Government putting the question to the vote in the near future.

Now a poll of politicians' attitudes, published by the League Against Cruel Sports, suggests only 253 out of 650 members were committed to repealing the act. The anti-repeal lobby had the support of 319 MPs.

The league's chief executive, Douglas Batchelor, said the finding showed there was "no real appetite in the coalition for bringing back a bloodsport".

"It is very clear the hunting issue is off the political agenda," he added.

"We don't expect the first vote to come much before the next election. Even the hunts know this.

"The tradition for the start of the hunting season has become hunts claiming that this will be the last season under the Hunting Act, but they aren't saying that this year.

"The law is here to stay and we will continue to support the police in enforcing it."

In the West Country, hunts have repeated their warning that the ban is bad for the welfare of foxes and deer.

Nick Gibbons, chairman of the Quantock Staghounds, said: "It would be nice to have the Act repealed.

"We are finding more and more casualty deer on the Quantocks and it would be a big advantage to be able to use more than the two hounds we are allowed to use to deal with them.

"We would be less likely to lose them before we are able to shoot them, as the Act says, at the first opportunity."

Mike Feltham, master of the Blackmore & Sparkford Vale Hunt, said: "I don't think there is any doubt that from the fox's welfare point of view the ban has brought a considerable down-side." He said fewer foxes were being seen in the countryside, suggesting they were being "disposed of by other means".

"I know that the Government is committed to giving MPs a chance to have a free vote," Mr Feltham added.

"I suppose that will happen, but I feel that there are far greater issues for the Government to be engaging in than repealing the ban on hunting."

Maurice Scott, master of the Devon & Somerset Staghounds said: "It's a silly law, and you only have to read Tony Blair's book to see that. It is unfair and should be repealed, but time will tell.

"We still go out on research and observation, using two hounds rather than 15.

"A lot of hounds have gone to France. I think it is another nail in the coffin of the countryside."

He said there was "no such thing as a quick, clean kill" of deer with a firearm, adding: "A certain amount will always get away and if they go onto someone else's land then to follow would mean trespassing."