Hunting Kind says it has obtained an opinion from a senior English barrister which supports its case for “protected status” either as an “ethnic group” or as a group of people who hold “protected beliefs”, The Telegraph reports.

Founder Ed Swales says the group – which seeks the repeal of the Hunting Act 2004, which banned most hunting with dogs in England and Wales – is now looking for a test case to bring to the British courts.

“We are doing this because hunting is not just a hobby, it is our way of life, and currently we are looking at the end of that way of life,” he said.

“This has been the only strategy that I have seen in the last 20 years to get the law that has been used against us to work in our favour.

“I have been advised that we meet the criteria for a protected status, just like the Traveller community or the LGBT community.”