FOX hunting supporters across North and East Yorkshire have vowed to defy the looming hunting ban after turning out in force for the official start of the new season.

Dozens of people attending the York and Ainsty South Hunt, on Saturday, at Colton, near Tadcaster, and the Middleton Hunt at Scrayingham, near Stamford Bridge, said they would continue hunting - whatever the cost.

Campaigners from the Countryside Alliance reaffirmed their commitment to disobey any ban, saying they were determined to be among the first to challenge it through peaceful, targeted, civil disobedience.

Nick Proctor, master of the York and Ainsty South Hunt, revealed he would consider going to jail if necessary.

Professional huntsman Richard Emmott, who was among a group of about 150 hunt supporters who gathered in a protest outside Selby MP John Grogan's office at a Saturday surgery in Tadcaster last month, warned there would be more such surgery visits. He said: "I am fighting for my job and my house. If this ban goes through it will have two drastic hits on my life. I have 70 hounds. If this ban goes through they will all be shot. It is as simple as that."

Scores of members and followers of the Middleton Hunt also vociferously vowed to break the law and continue hunting at their Saturday meet, where the Reverend Timothy Forbes Adam, of Escrick and Naburn, gave a service of thanksgiving and blessed the hounds.

Meg Abu Hamdan, a livery yard manager, read a "declaration of martyr" which was received with applause and cheers from fellow hunt members.

"It is with great sadness today that I reiterate my intention to disobey any unjust law that bans hunting at the first possible opportunity," she said.

"I will not resist arrest or attempt to evade punishment - I will accept the consequences of my actions. This is not random lawlessness - the act of peaceful, orderly civil disobedience is the last resort of a law-abiding minority."

Mr Grogan said today: "If you break the law you have to take the consequences. No one is above the law, and I take the view you must respect it." He hoped the House of Lords would agree to a transition period delaying a ban until July 2006, which he said would enable North Yorkshire hunts to consider a switch to drag hunting to save some of the jobs at risk.

Updated: 10:30 Monday, November 08, 2004