Ref. 271204DEFIANT pro-hunters gathered at a local beauty spot for what could be the last Boxing Day hunt.

A 1,500-strong crowd ignored the frosty weather to watch the Vale of White Horse Hunt gallop around Cirencester Park.

On February 18 a countrywide ban will come into force, although legal challenges threaten to delay it by a year or more.

Yesterday there was little sign of opposition following pleas to protesters from the League Against Cruel Sports to steer clear of confrontation.

Organisers say it was the best-supported hunt on record with 245 of its members donning traditional red coats for the chase.

Normally the hunt takes place on Boxing Day, but owing to the holiday falling on a Sunday it was put back a day.

Charles Hawton, hunt secretary, said the Government's battle to ban fox hunting has strengthened their resolve.

"It was very upbeat," said Mr Hawton. "We have definitely seen greater support since Tony Blair announced the ban."

Caroline Hill, 44, of Ewen, near Kemble, was among the crowd.

She was joined by husband Mark, 46, a hunt master, and their children, Thomas, 14, and James, 12.

"Unfortunately the van to carry the horses broke down so my husband and I couldn't take part," she said. "After the first meet of the season in November this is the biggest hunt of the year.

"People travel from miles around to see this wonderful spectacle. It was great that so many people turned up to support us."

The couple's children only took up the sport this season.

"They love it just as much as we do," she said.

But Marilyn Harrison, of Swindon Animal Concern, said: "Following advice from the League we decided not to attend the hunt to protest.

"But we remain strongly opposed to this barbaric sport. It is completely unnecessary.

"Hopefully this was the last Boxing Day hunt there will ever be."

Mrs Hill reckons the Government are intent on vilifying hunters.

"The arguments for anti-hunting are false," she said. "The Government is prejudicing us it wants to make hunting a class thing.

"All walks of life take part in the hunting."

Kevin Shoesmith