ANTI-hunt campaigners claimed this week that it was only a matter of time before West Somerset hunts faced a prosecution over their interpretation of legislation banning the sport. The law which came into force in February allows hunts to follow artificial scents or to use two hounds to flush out an animal to guns. But the League Against Cruel Sports insists that the hunts' current practice of using relays of dogs is illegal - a view dismissed by the Countryside Alliance which is adamant that the Hunting Act does not preclude changing hounds. Paul Tillsley, who manages the LACS West Somerset holdings is based at the organisation's sanctuary near Dulverton, said evidence was being gathered which he was confident would enable a prosecution to be brought. "We have been filming almost since day one of the ban and we have gathered a substantial amount of evidence to date," said Mr Tillsley. "But after several meetings with the police, they are keen for us to get yet more evidence so that the hunt people involved can actually be identified. "We believe it is only a matter of time." Mr Tillsley said although the hunts continued to deny they were doing anything wrong, a letter received recently from MP Ben Bradshaw, Parliamentary Secretary made it clear that the practice of using relays of dogs was illegal.