OLD traditions die hard. Despite the ongoing ban on hunting in North Yorkshire because of foot and mouth, huntsmen and women paraded on horseback in full regalia.

This prompted the customary protest, even though not a single fox was in peril. Both sides claimed a moral victory. Hunt leaders said support for a ban is waning. Protesters said the claim that a ban would devastate the countryside had been exposed during the foot and mouth shutdown.

Brace yourselves: we can expect to hear a lot more of this debate during 2002.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, December 27, 2001