HUNDREDS of hunt supporters have committed themselves to the prospect of civil disobedience, ahead of a mass rally against a potential ban.

Many people have signed the Hunting Declaration, an independent initiative begun by philosopher and writer Roger Scruton.

Signing the declaration commits people to refusing to co-operate with any hunting ban, and therefore opening them up to legal consequences.

Richard Dodd, regional director of the Countryside Alliance for the North-East, believes hundreds more will sign the declaration during an unprecedented mass meeting of all the region's hunts in Trimdon Village.

Mr Dodd said: "The phoney war is over. We are determined to protect and uphold a rich tradition that has shaped the countryside and been an economically and environmentally important service.

"Hunting with hounds has been proven, by many Government-sponsored independent inquiries, to be the most humane and effective way of controlling foxes."

The mass meet, at which the Countryside Alliance expects more than 1,000 people, takes place on Declaration Day, Saturday, November 1, the traditional start of the hunting season.

There will be a mounted ride through Trimdon Village.