Hundreds turn out for last legal hunt

Villagers staged a massive show of support for the New Forest Hounds (NFH) when it met for the last time before fox-hunting was banned at midnight last night.

As the death knell sounded for the traditional pursuit, Forest residents turned out in force to back their local hunt.

The scene was repeated across Hampshire as the county's other hunts gathered on the day before the ban came into force.

The Hursley and Hambledon Hunt also met for the last time before the ban, but met little opposition from anti-hunt campaigners.

Horses and hounds paraded through Hambledon village centre to cheers from supporters.

At Shalden, near Alton, the Hampshire Hunt held a successful final legal hunt with at least one fox killed.

The NFH meet took place in the tiny village of Fritham, which is surrounded by some of the best hunting territory in the area.

Formed in 1781, the hunt had expected one of the biggest crowds in its history and had arranged for a field beside the Royal Oak pub to be used as a car park.

Spectators included Colonel Peter Sweet, of Grigg Lane, Brockenhurst, who said: "I've never seen a gathering like it in the New Forest.

Members of the NFH were determined to be as upbeat as possible, despite the demise of a rural tradition that has been part of the Forest since the first fox-hunts in 1675.

The hunt's official spokesman, Graham Ferris, said: "People are inevitably feeling very emotional but we're putting politics to one side and looking forward to a good day's hunting."

One of the hunt's two joint masters, Paul Ames, issued a rallying cry to NFH members as they prepared to move off.

He said: "I don't want a debate on a hunting day. I don't want you to reflect on memories of the past and the challenges of the future.

"I want you to do what you do very well. I want you to hunt."

A small number of police were present at the meet, but there were no anti-hunting demonstrations and the event passed off peacefully.