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A Maltese referendum has decided - by a margin of less than 1% - to allow the contentious spring hunt to continue.

Malta's Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) described spring hunting as "an integral part" of the hunting tradition in Malta.

The island is a stopping-off point for migrating birds returning from Africa to Europe, and conservationists argue some hunters shoot protected species.

Bird-watcher Bill Oddie, a supporter of the League Against Cruel Sports in Malta, described the result as "a pretty depressing comment on humanity".