ABOUT 3,000 hunt supporters from across North and East Yorkshire were gathering in Ryedale today to declare their intention to continue the pursuit - even if it is banned.

The mass meet at Birdsall, near Malton, was one of 12 taking place throughout England and Wales on the first day of the hunting season.

John Haigh, regional director of the Countryside Alliance, the organisation that arranged the event, said: "We are presenting our supporters with the opportunity to sign the declaration. It's a serious declaration of an intention to peacefully defy the law - not any law, just one that bans hunting."

Members of 29 hunts, including the Middleton, Sinnington and Farndale Hunts, joined with huntsmen and women, foot followers and hounds from all corners of Yorkshire.

"The declaration shows how far people are prepared to go to carry on their way of life," said Gilda Brader, joint secretary of the Middleton Hunt.

"People will be signing a form to say they are prepared to continue hunting and go to prison, it's a very, very serious and positive attitude to have. I'm sure an awful lot of people are going to sign this declaration. The Government are going to have to deal with us."

Campaigners hope that the large numbers of people who sign the declaration will show the Government the great support for fox hunting and the likelihood of mass civil disobedience should a ban be made.

After lengthy debate in the House of Lords, the Hunting Bill fell on Tuesday when Lord Whitty confirmed to peers that they had run out of time to consider further amendments.

However, Tony Banks MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) urging the Government to fulfil its manifesto promise to resolve the hunting issue by reintroducing the Bill in the next session. The Parliament Act would then apply and an outright ban on hunting with dogs would become law.

A MORI poll commissioned by Campaigning to Protect Hunted Animals (CPHA) released yesterday revealed that 76 per cent of people believe that hunters should not defy a ban.

Phyllis Campbell-McRae, chair of the CPHA and director of International Fund for Animal Welfare UK, said: "This latest stunt by the pro-hunt lobby to encourage people to break the law is highly irresponsible and completely out of step with public opinion.

"This shows a complete disregard for the democratic process and the views of ordinary British people. It is abhorrent that some hunters are prepared to commit a crime in order to practise their barbaric sport."

But Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The mass gatherings on Declaration Day give individuals the opportunity to make clear their intention to take part in peaceful but committed civil disobedience should a hunting ban ever be imposed."

He added: "This is not a step that anyone will be taking lightly, but many people feel that it is a legitimate act of protest in response to the threat of deeply prejudiced legislation."

Updated: 09:52 Saturday, November 01, 2003