SOME 47 people from Ramsbury joined more than 400,000 protesters in Sunday's Countryside March for Livelihood and Liberty, possibly the largest ever demonstration in support of civil rights the UK has ever seen.

The coachload of local people, including farmers and farm workers but also tradesmen, students and housewives, set off from Ramsbury at 8.30am.

Peter Brown, who had organised the Ramsbury delegation's trip, said: "It all went off splendidly. The only snag was when we were routed off the M25 onto the A24 and had to go terribly slowly until we reached Blackfriars.

"We weren't allowed to cross Blackfriars Bridge to get to the start of the march and had to walk right through the City to get to it. I thought that was rather unnecessary."

The march itself took nearly four hours to wend its way along the route to Hyde Park. Then the weary marchers had to find their way to New Covent Garden, south of the river, to meet up with their coach. It was after 7.30pm before they returned to Ramsbury.

But it was a worthwhile trip. Mr Brown, 79, was unperturbed by the day's exertions. He said: "Although there was a serious purpose behind it, the day was great fun. There was a really friendly atmosphere and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"We certainly made an impact, though whether the Government listens to us or not is another matter. It wasn't all about hunting. It is about the fate of little firms, small farmers and everyone who is suffering as part of what is going on in the countryside at the moment."

l Animal rights groups have hit back at pro-hunt protesters on Sundays Liberty and Livelihood March, claiming public opinion overwhelmingly supports a ban on hunting with dogs.

The Campaign to Protect Hunted Animals has conducted a national poll, which it believes undermines any attempt by the Countryside Alliance to portray the march as a massive display of support for hunting.