POLICE have advised residents and traders not to panic after threats by anti-monarchists to use the town as a base on Saturday, November 4, from which to disrupt the opening meeting of the Beaufort Hunt.

A London-based group known as the Movement Against the Monarchy has called on anarchists and hunt saboteurs from all over Britain to gather in Malmesbury at 9am to stage England's biggest demonstration against fox-hunting and the establishment.

The group said in September it expected up to 2,000 supporters to arrive in the town. From there the plan is to move on to Badminton to disrupt the hunt and also target royal residences.

But Malmesbury Police Station Commander Sergeant Mike Franklin said: "We are advising people to carry on as normal. Don't let this threat disrupt your lives or your businesses."

North Wiltshire Chief Inspector Matt Pullen said: "I can't go into detail, but we do have our finger on the pulse to ensure that there is an appropriate response on the day." It is understood that police officers from Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Avon will be on standby should the protest turn ugly.

Joint Master of the Beaufort Hunt, Captain Ian Farquhar, said the hunt was going ahead with its opening meeting.

He said: "We've been liaising with police and so far no one has the faintest idea what form the protest will take.

"The last time this group said they would march only 26 people turned up."