Prime Minister Theresa May has dropped plans to hold a vote on the fox-hunting ban during this parliament.

The Conservatives promised a vote on repealing the Hunting Act – which bans the use of dogs to hunt foxes and wild mammals – during the 2017 general election campaign.

But Mrs May told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show there was a “clear message” against it from the public.

It comes as the prime minister prepares to reshuffle her cabinet on Monday.

In July, shortly after the government lost its majority in the election, it backed away from the manifesto promise, saying there would not be a vote held until at least 2019.

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Tony Blair’s Labour government introduced the Hunting Act in 2004 across England and Wales.

Mrs May’s predecessor, David Cameron, had promised a free vote on whether to repeal it when he was in power, but it never materialised.

This latest announcement means any vote will not take place until at least 2022 – after the next general election is due to be held.