Controversy surrounds a decision by Pewsey Parish Council to allow horses and hounds from the Tedworth Hunt to meet in the village on the day after Boxing Day.

Anti-hunt voices have protested on Facebook, with some people under the impression that the council has given permission for hunting on its land and consequently calling for councillors to lose their seats.

But the council has defended itself, explaining that councillors have only given the go ahead for the hunt to gather on December 27 in the North Street car park, where it traditionally has done for years.

A council spokesman explained: “The car park used to be owned by Wiltshire Council and the hunt has met there for years. Eighteen months ago the ownership was transferred to the parish council.

"We have given permission for the meet in the car park, that is all. As soon as they move off and wherever they go they are no longer on our land, they are not hunting on our land.”

The Tedworth hunt, which has kennels outside Burbage, says it hunts legally by laying a trail, not by chasing a fox.

In a statement on its website it says: “The object of trail hunting is to simulate, as realistically as possible, traditional hunting as practised before the ban. A trail is laid using a fox-based scent, usually fox urine.

"The trail is laid across the countryside taking a route that simulates a fox, through woods, along hedgerows, coverts, ditches and open land. It is laid by dragging a scent soaked sock, cloth or sack along the ground. The less the huntsman knows of the route of the trail, the more realistic and challenging it becomes, replicating a real foxhunt.”

But the parish council’s decision has caused angry exchanges on the Pewsey Notice Board on Facebook where a local wrote: “If people are upset then they should make sure that when the next parish councillor elections take place those who agreed do not get re-elected.”

Now fears have grown that the event may attract demonstrations by hunt saboteurs.

One local posted: “There are children from pony clubs who ride with the hunt, so the sabs should show some restraint. Let them protest but not interfere.”

In response, another posted: “Having children present when any animal is savaged by dogs must be child abuse.”

That prompted another post: “I don’t like the bloodthirsty mob attitude on here. I don’t mean the Tedworth, who are perfectly entitled to a day out riding, but all of you in your kangaroo court.”

In response, another wrote: “The fact that you used the term bloodthirsty to mock those against blood sports is a hypocrisy.”

The hunt is due to meet in Pewsey’s North Street car park at around 11am on December 27.