IT has been a New Year tradition for many years, but if campaigners get their way, such gatherings could soon be a thing of the past.

A crowd of more than 100 turned out yesterday to watch the spectacle as the Derwent Hunt gathered at Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering, North Yorkshire.

They ate mince pies and drank mulled wine as the horses and hounds gathered on the green.

A small group of protestors braved the weather and carried placards to make their opposition known.

However, the hunt did not go ahead because of the dangers caused by the icy conditions.