A HARE hunt with a difference will start by Trading Standards Officers on Saturday .Starting on March 1, trading officers from Suffolk County Council will be checking butchers shops, specialist shops and internet sites across Suffolk for the sale or display of hares or leverets.

A HARE hunt with a difference will start by Trading Standards Officers on Saturday .

Starting on March 1, trading officers from Suffolk County Council will be checking butchers shops, specialist shops and internet sites across Suffolk for the sale or display of hares or leverets.

This is because under the Hares Preservation Act of 1892 it is illegal to sell or expose for sale a hare or leveret during from March 1 to July 31.

The law is there protect Britain's rare hare population during its breeding season. Trading Standards from across the eastern region will be cracking down on the illegal sale of hare meat in response to a recent request from the British Brown Hare Society.

Shoppers should still be able to buy rabbit meat during March to July.

Any shopper who sees hare for sale or has information on the illegal sale of hare meat should call Suffolk County Council's Trading Standards Advice Line on 01473 584358.

Announcing the crackdown, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for Public Protection, Peter Monk said: "These beautiful animals are an ancient part of our heritage and the law is there to protect them and help them thrive. I hope the officers making checks find no evidence of the sale of hares in shops and outlets in Suffolk.

"If any food businesses are offered hares for sale I'd urged them to report the matter to Trading Standards. Likewise if consumers are concerned about and shops which they think are selling hare meat they should call the Advice Line on 01473 584358".