WE'LL ride on! That was the message from bloodsport enthusiasts today as they staged what could be the last fox-hunt ever held in the New Forest.

Hunting with dogs will become illegal tomorrow after last-ditch attempts to delay the ban ended in defeat in the Court of Appeal.

However, the pro-hunt Countryside Alliance has vowed to take its battle to the House of Lords and the European Court of Human Rights.

The New Forest Hounds (NFH) plan to continue turning out while attempts are made to overturn the ban, but members say they will obey the new law by calling off the hounds if they chase a fox.

Later this year the NFH intends to experiment with trail hunting, in which a cloth soaked in a fox's urine is dragged across the countryside to give the hounds a scent to follow.

If the trials are successful the NFH will ask the Forestry Commission for consent to stage trail hunting next season.

A commission spokesman said the hunt's licence to operate in the Forest would be revoked when the ban on hunting came into force tomorrow.

However, he said that the hunt would be allowed to exercise their horses and hounds as long as the events were kept low-key.

Today's final fox-hunt was taking place at Fritham, near Lyndhurst, and was expected to attract a large number of hunt supporters.

Hampshire hunts are also planning to turn out on Saturday - the day after the ban comes into force - but police say no special measures will be taken to enforce the legislation.

Meanwhile, animal welfare groups have welcomed the decision by the Court of Appeal to reject the latest legal challenge to the Hunting Act.

A League Against Cruel Sports spokesman said: "Today we have seen democracy defended and cruelty curtailed."

Preparing for life after hunting, see today's Spotlight feature under the 'More News' section.