Thousands due at Boxing Day fox hunts despite ban

HUNDREDS of thousands of people were expected to attend fox hunts across the country today despite the ban which came into force nearly two years ago.

Boxing Day meets are usually the largest of the year and campaigners claim support for the sport is higher than ever. Countryside Alliance spokesman Tim Bonner said: "We would expect hundreds of thousands as usual and some very large crowds at the prominent hunts."

He added that 314 registered hunts were planning to go out today, which could draw crowds of 250,000.

"The popularity of the sport is higher than ever. There are more hunts going out this year than last year because we have two new hunts," he said.

Simon Ashworth, hunt secretary of the Cheshire Hunt, said up to 100 riders and 1,000 spectators were expected to attend its meet in Taporley.

He said: "It is a very popular spectacle and the new law has not made much difference to that."

Police are also likely to be in attendance at many of the hunts around the UK.

The 2004 Act made hunting with dogs a criminal offence, although exercising hounds, chasing a scent trail and flushing out foxes to be shot are all still legal.