HOUNDS and horses were out in force to mark the traditional New Year's Day hunt at Thornton-le-Dale.

About 30 riders and 32 dogs took part in the Derwent Hunt meet at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, on Monday.

Last year, about 40 riders took part.

The Derwent Hunt meets twice a week in hunting season, which runs from September to April.

It has met on New Year's Day at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, every year since it was founded in 1808.

This year, about 300 people turned out for the meet - despite the law preventing hunting with hounds, which many thought might spell the end of the tradition.

Hunt secretary Sarah Morley said yesterday's event had been particularly well attended.

She said: "It's very well supported this year, which is good. Our hunts have been supported well all season. An artificial trail has been laid. We thought the weather might have stopped us, but it turned out nice.

"Everybody would like to see the ban overturned, but we are all determined to keep going as best we can."

Hunt treasurer Clive Proctor said: "The ban has had no effect on the numbers. We have had to change to come in with the law and carry on legal hunting, laying a trail. There will be no foxes killed.

"We have been going almost 200 years. It's the tradition of the countryside and its people."

Villagers Dorothy and Harold Hawley have turned out to watch the hunt for some 30 years.

Mr Hawley said: "I have no objections to the hunt going ahead. It is part of traditional village life and it's great to see them meet like this.

"I think there are more people here today than there have been in a long while. I think people have given up protesting because a trail has been laid and no foxes are being killed."

In previous years, a handful of anti-hunt protesters have kept their tradition by turning up at the meet, along with seasoned hunt-goers.

This year, however, there were no protesters at the meet.

At Howden, crowds gathered in the Market Place to see the York and Ainsty South Hunt set off.

Updated: 09:55 Tuesday, January 03, 2006