THE Rev Christopher Mulholland gave his Sunday service en route to London so he could take part in the march.

The Rector of Westonbirt, Sopworth, Didmarton, Leighterton and Boxwell, who is a member of the Beaufort Hunt, said: "I am going on the march to show solidarity with my parishioners who are rural people employed in agriculture or country sports.

"The real problems of the countryside, which should be receiving attention are not, because of hysterical opposition to hunting."