FOR what could possibly be the last time, the traditional start of the hunt season got under way at the weekend.

Country sports enthusiasts remained defiant in the face of a possible ban and turned up in large numbers to support hunts around the country.

Across the region, they were held in Colton, near York, Newbrough, near Hexham, Northumberland, and Welton, near Carlisle.

Many hunt supporters said they would continue their hobby in one form or another and said any ban would be unenforceable and unpoliceable.

Nearly 40 riders met at the Colton hunt on Saturday, organised by the York and Ainsty South Hunt, with a large number of followers on foot.

Professional huntsman Richard Emmott, 37, said there were no problems with protestors and the mood was good, despite the impending ban. He said: "I think everyone's quite resolute and determined that we're going to carry on.

"We're still getting people out and new people joining in because people don't want to see hunting finished.

"We all want to be positive, that's why we keep turn- ing huge numbers of people out."

MPs have voted in favour of an outright ban on hunting with hounds. Ministers have threatened to use the Parliament Act to give them supremacy over the Lords, which has voted to allow registered hunts to continue.

James Barrington, former director of the League Against Cruel Sports and consultant to the All Party Parliamentary Middle Way Group, said the definitions in the Commons version of the Bill were unclear.

He said no one was sure what would and would not be an offence, and described the Bill as "unenforceable, unprincipled and unpoliceable".

"It cannot save the life of one animal, and to me that's not animal welfare," he said.

He believes that, by passing the Bill, the Government will make "an absolute fool of itself'' and "make us the laughing stock of Europe".

Mr Emmott said the Government was not listening to what people in the countryside had to say and the ban could have disastrous effects on the rural economy and also on the welfare of foxes.

He said: "Hunting with dogs has been in existence since BC. I stand to lose my job and my home from this and the hounds will have to be shot.

"Me and my girlfriend have been thinking about children, but at 37 years old how am I supposed to provide a home with no job?

"The people who voted to ban hunting don't really know anything about it."