MORE than 100 people turned out as members of the New Forest Hounds met for their first hunt of the new year at the weekend.

Joint master Pat Hudson said they had been unable to hunt since just before Christmas because their hounds had suffered kennel cough.

But he said Saturday's hunt from Frogham "went wonderfully".

About 55 riders and probably the same number of hunt followers on foot hunted from Frogham back into the Forest to Godshill and Fritham.

The joint master said they suffered no disruption from protesters although members of the New Forest Animal Protection League did turn out to monitor the hunt. "They don't harass us, they simply video everything we do, but we are used to that - they have been doing it for the last 15 years.

"They are perfectly nice people. They are not unpleasant or nasty.

"Even new people in the village said they would like to come and see what we do. It was a very successful day."