A strong message to stop trophy lion hunting in Africa has been pushed in parliament by a Dover-based charity.

LionAid, in Salisbury Road, Dover, initiated an adjournment debate held by MP David Jones at Westminster Hall in London last month.

It went ahead to discuss the decline in African lion numbers which is thought to be caused by a form of hunting where the killed mammals are then displayed as an act of pride.

The debate resulted in the Rt Hon Rory Stewart, Under Secretary of State for DEFRA, announcing that the government would look at imposing a ban within the next two years.

In a statement released by the charity, it said: “Dover based LionAid’s long standing work regarding the survival of the African Lion has been well documented and it was this expertise and consistent lobbying, along with David Jones MP, grit and determination to have this aired, which brought about this debate.

“LionAid is totally opposed to trophy hunting, however, we were very pleased that the minister was more than open to further discussions and was keeping an open mind as to the benefits or otherwise of lion trophy hunting as a conservation tool for the species.”

The charity was originally set-up in 2004 with the intention of raising funds to support lion research in Africa - with the money exclusively going to the Okavango Lion Research Programme.

According to the LionAid website, in October 2004 trustee Pieter Kat was involved in a serious head-on collision in Botswana.

It took him more than a year to recover any mobility.

As he was the principal researcher on the programme and crucial by presence in the UK to any fundraising effort, LionAid’s functionality slowed down.

By early 2010, it was re-established and was given more priorities and new trustees.

Comedian Ricky Gervais has pledged his support to the charity which has received national recognition.