THOUSANDS of enthusiasts throughout the North-East and North Yorkshire turned out in a show of strength yesterday to mark what could be the last annual Boxing Day hunts.

Pro-hunt campaigners believe the Government is preparing to force legislation banning foxhunting on to the statute book, even though the issue was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech.

The Hunting Bill was lost in the Lords in the last parliamentary session, leaving the way open for MPs to invoke the Parliament Acts to get it through.

Deep divisions between supporters and opponents were reflected at the Braes of Derwent Hunt, in Lanchester, County Durham, where a small group of anti-hunt demonstrators staged a peaceful protest.

Anti-hunt protestor Mary Wood said: "The Countryside Alliance keeps bringing civil liberties into it. But no one has the right to chase animals across the countryside.

"The Government must bring about a ban and stop this cruelty once and for all."

Fellow protestor Nicola Duckwort said: "The world needs to be more compassionate.

"They could do drag hunting* instead. Where I come from, in the South, they have introduced it and it is very effective."

Hunt follower Bernard Hurl said: "It is not just hunting. It is a way of life - a social thing.

"The Braes of Derwent Hunt Support Group has raised thousands of pounds for Macmillan Nurses."

According to the Countryside Commission, more than 15,000 supporters turned out at 34 meets across North Yorkshire, including fell packs, harriers and beagles - with major meetings in Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Scarborough and Malton.

Alliance northern area media relations manager James Bates said: "Everybody around the region said they had far more people than last year.

"Despite the weather, everyone has really reported a fantastic turn out and a fantastic atmosphere.''

In Northallerton, North Yorkshire, hundreds of people lined the streets to watch the annual meeting of the Hurworth Hunt, outside the Golden Lion, in High Street.

Master of the hunt Keith Balbach said: "It is just lovely to be here.

"It is traditional that we meet here and it is lovely to see all the families, landowners and supporters of the hunt who have come out to see us.

"We are determined to keep this going. It is not a fight - we will just keep going."

South Durham Hunt, which met at Bishopton, was also watched by a peaceful crowd, and there were no protestors.

* Drag hunting involves hounds following a heavily scented trail, usually of aniseed, left by a huntsman.