THE cold and wintry weather was not enough to stop a hunt meeting for its annual New Year’s Day gathering.

The hard frost and snowy conditions stopped the Derwent Hunt going ahead because of concerns for the horses’ wellbeing, but about 250 supporters still turned out on foot in Thornton-le-Dale, North Yorkshire.

The hunt has been in existence since 1808 and meets every New Year’s Day.

The meet resorted to exercising the horses and hounds along roads that had been cleared of snow and ice.

Joint hunt master Richard Morley said it was important the hunt went ahead whatever the conditions.

He said: “This hunt has been going for hundreds of years and it is important that we continue the tradition.

“The ice and the snow have stopped the hunt from going ahead as usual, but we have been lucky over the past years. At least the weather held off while we were out with the horses and we could give them some exercise.”

■ Supporters of the South Durham Hunt braved wintry conditions to attend its annual New Year’s Day meeting.

Hunting was cancelled because of the weather, but several members of the organisation paraded with the hounds around the green outside Hardwick Hall Hotel, in Sedgefield.

Spectator Shane Dew, from Beaumont Hill, Darlington, said: “It was quite slippery underfoot, and the turnout was not as big as last year, but they still put on a colourful show.”