AN ANIMAL welfare group is preparing to protest against hunting with hounds over Christmas.

Foxhunting resumed on Monday, nearly 10 months after a ban was imposed because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Members of the Beaufort Hunt, which Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles regularly ride with, rode out for the first time since hunting was suspended by the Master of Foxhounds Association in February.

David Thompson, chairman of the Wiltshire branch of the League Against Cruel Sports, is now rallying for support and asking members to protest at any hunts in the county over the festive period.

He said: "The protest will be peaceful and we usually get a good response. We would rather be doing something else with our time on Boxing Day, but until hunting is banned we will continue our endeavours."

As hunters ride out with their dogs, a new MORI poll reveals 80 per cent of people in the south west describe the sport as cruel.

Mr Thompson said: "These statistics are consistent with others over the past 20 years. It's now up to the government to act.

"MPs have twice voted overwhelmingly for a ban; the government must have the resolve to see the bill through parliament and the House of Lords."

l THE Avon Vale Hunt's traditional Boxing Day meet was granted its licence this week by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The meet, which attracts well over 1,000 riders and followers, gathers at the Red Lion pub at 11am.

Kennel master Nick Ashcroft said: "It would have been the first time in my memory that the Boxing Day meet hadn't gone ahead.

"Once or twice we have met but not been able to hunt because frost has made the ground too hard.

"It has been a nightmare, and everyone is looking forward to getting out. It will be a wonderful feeling."

Philip Amery, the master of the Wiltshire and Infantry Beagles, is not expecting any heated protests at hunts around Warminster on Boxing Day and New Year's Day, despite problems with a saboteur in Steeple Ashton last December.

Andrew Sallis, master of the South and West Wilts Hunt, said they would meet at Mere, near Warminster, on Boxing Day and in Hindon on New Year's Day.

He said: "We have lost £40,000 because of foot-and-mouth and we've been forced to make some cutbacks.

"We've just had a low-key hunt in Shaftesbury after a barren period. Now we're back on the road we very much want to stay on the road. We've been biting our tongues and we've worked very hard to keep going.

"We don't agree with a ban as it's a way of life and we're not just going to roll over and accept one."

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