HUNTING is set for a return to Malton for the traditional Boxing Day meet.

But hunt officials fear it is unlikely they will be able to travel out into the surrounding countryside due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Hounds from the Middleton Hunt, which has traditionally met in Malton Market Place every Boxing Day for the last 300 years, have been waiting in kennels for ten months as the devastating effects of the foot and mouth crisis took hold.

And because they are kennelled in a part of the county still designated "at risk", they will be unable to roam across the vast stretches of Ryedale's countryside.

Master of the hunt, Frank Houghton-Brown, said everyone was still looking forward to seeing the hunt in its traditional market place appearance.

He said: "We will be meeting in the town and flying the flag for hunting really.

"So many people like to see us and it would be a shame to disappoint them."

Mr Houghton-Brown said he had had lots of enquiries about whether Middleton Hunt would be arriving in Malton this year.

He said they were expecting larger-than-ever crowds of well-wishers to come and support the riders and hounds as they stopped off in the Market Place and then at The Royal Oak, in Old Malton.

Jeremy Timm, joint master at the York and Ainsty South Hunt, said they had taken the decision to meet on Boxing Day away from their traditional venue.

The hunt normally meets in Easingwold Market Place.

But because that is in an "at risk" area, and the kennels are in a foot and mouth free area, officials decided to change venue and start from Howden, in the East Riding.

Mr Timm said: "People are absolutely raring to go.

"The Government are very sensibly being strict about the conditions for the resumption of hunting.

"Anyone who is hunting with us on Boxing Day must live and stable their hounds in a foot and mouth free area."

Mr Timm added that followers were permitted to meet the hunt wherever they came from, as long as they kept to the roads and did not stray on to the surrounding fields.

The Sinnington Hunt is planning its usual meet in Kirkbymoorside on Boxing Day.

But although their traditional gathering will be taking place, as with Middleton, they will not be hunting in the open fields, due to foot and mouth restrictions.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, December 21, 2001