MPs are poised for a major showdown with peers tonight after the House of Lords backed regulated hunting with hounds.

The Government’s Hunting Bill - altered by peers so that hunting would be allowed under strict regulation - got its third reading without a vote in the House of Lords yesterday.

The Bill returned to the Commons this afternoon, and it was widely expected that most Labour MPs would tonight vote to reinstate the clauses providing for an outright ban.

If that happens, the threat of the Parliament Act to steamroller the Bill into law looms large.

In the Lords last night, there were angry scenes involving Environment Minister Lord Whitty and pro-hunting peers.

Tory and Liberal Democrat peers angrily warned of a "tragedy" that would split the country if a complete ban went ahead.

Lord Whitty, who has steered the legislation through the Lords, acknowledged that Prime Minister Tony Blair wanted a compromise.

But Lord Whitty warned that he did not think peers had done enough to persuade MPs that regulated foxhunting was the best way forward.

The Commons has repeatedly voted for an outright ban on hunting but the Lords has put up a long campaign of resistance.

Although Mr Blair has signalled his desire for a compromise solution, the Government has given a free vote to MPs - who look certain to reimpose the total ban.

It is then expected that Speaker Michael Martin will force the Bill through using the Parliament Act.

The Bill has to return to the Lords tomorrow, when any debate about the timing of a ban would take place.

In the Lords last night, Lord Whitty warned: "I would say this House has not gone sufficiently down the road of compromise to persuade that many people within the Commons, but that is a matter for them."

Downing Street said Mr Blair continued to support the proposals put forward by Environment Minister Alun Michael.

Mr Michael proposed licensed hunting, with a tribunal deciding on whether a particular hunt could continue. His plan would ban stag hunting and hare coursing.

The plan backed by the Lords would allow for regulated hunting of foxes, stags and hares, subject to approval by local committees.

No 10 said the Lords’ plan did not amount to the Michael proposal, adding that Mr Blair would wait to see whether any amendment was tabled which would give effect to the Michael plan.

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