RECORD numbers of huntsmen and woman and their supporters gathered across the North-East on Monday for the last Boxing Day hunt before a ban takes effect in 2005.

Hunting with hounds is due to be banned in England and Wales in February, but defiant campaigners say their fight to delay the law coming in could run and run.

The traditional Boxing Day hunt - one of the biggest on the hunting calendar - took place a day later this year, as hunts are never held on Sundays.

One of the biggest gatherings was in Lanchester, where hundreds of supporters lined the streets to watch more than 60 horses of the Braes of Derwent Hunt set off.

Anti-hunt groups, who normally put in an appearance, had decided not to protest against the day's event.

Hunt chairman Alan Chapman said: "Today's turnout shows politicians of this country how much support we have.

"We will continue to participate in our country activities, and will do so within the law.

"We will do everything within our powers to let politicians know they are not in keeping with the vast majority of people."

Hunt supporter Maureen Mace said: "We pledge to carry on. This is just the beginning of the battle. It comes into effect on February 17 and we'll be out the following day.

"We'll not call it hunting, but hound exercising. If the hounds happen to come across a fox that will be purely an accident.

Neil Graham was attending his first hunt. He said: "I felt I should be here to show solidarity.

"I think it is just a spiteful act on the Government's part. This is the start of a determined effort to get rid of all field sports."

Businessman Frank Nicholson said: "I think it is one of the saddest years the countryside has witnessed in the last 100 years.

"It is potentially the end of a tradition that is so deeply ingrained in such a huge swathe of country life that rural life is going to carry the scars for years to come."