Defiant over hunt ban (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Defiant over hunt ban

These photographs were taken before and after the national foxhunting ban became law last Friday.

They suggest it was tally-ho as usual for foxhunts.

The Duke of Beaufort, VWH and Heythrop foxhunts held their last legal hunts on Thursday and their first post-ban meetings on Saturday.

All attracted thousands of followers.

The Beaufort, which has kennelled its 130 hounds at Badminton since 1650, met at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, on Saturday.

Kate Hoey, one of few Labour MPs who hunt, was among 350 riders. Beaufort spokeswoman, Jo Aldridge, said a fox was legally caught.

She said: "It's the beginning of a new fight to bring back hunting."

The VWH, formed more than 150 years ago, attracted about 300 riders to its Thursday hunt at Common Farm, Highworth and its Saturday meeting at Bibury Court Hotel, where no foxes were killed by its 120 hounds.

Joint master, Mark Hill, said Conservative Party leader, Michael Howard, had written to him promising to repeal the ban if the Tories gain power.