Countryside raises its voice

But an estimated 400,000 countryside campaigners from all walks of life brought the centre of London to a standstill yesterday as they came to protest at the threat to the traditional rural way of life.

The scale of the demonstration surpassed anything that organisers had predicted and those taking part succeeded in leaving the Government in no doubt as to their concern, frustration and anger.

Although peaceful, the march was deafening, with protestors buying up whistles and horns, as well T-shirts and badges.

Shouts, whoops and whistles pierced the streets at regular intervals as thousands spontaneously raised their voices at the sight of fellow supporters appearing along the route.

The cacophony stopped only briefly when marchers observed requests for silence as they filed past the Cenotaph.

More than 25,000 people from the North-East and North Yorkshire crammed on to specially chartered trains and buses to take them to the capital. Banners from Sedgefield, Middlesbrough, Durham and Stockton were prominent amid the seething mass.

A number of bands played, while the whole remarkable event was relayed live on five giant screens along the route.

Sheer numbers meant that people were forced to queue for more than two hours before they could arrive at the march starting points, at Hyde Park Corner and Blackfriars Bridge, to head for Parliament Square.

Many were there to protest about the proposed ban on hunting with dogs, which they say will lead to thousands of job losses and have a severe knock-on effect on the rural economy. Others were there to register their dissatisfaction on wider rural issues.

Farmers say prices for their produce has plummeted in recent years, while costs have rocketed.

There were also protests at rocketing rural house prices, crime, poor public transport, and the loss of local amenities such as schools, pubs and shops.

"I've never seen anything like this in my life," said one marcher, his companion adding: "Yes, I know, but I'm sick of all these whistles - it's doing my head in."

It took about an hour for each marcher to complete the route . . . once they had reached the start; but all agreed it was worth it in order to tell the Government it is in danger of destroying their livelihoods and tradition.

The hope is that ministers will listen to the many voices which took part in the march and stop interfering in their lives.

Gary Watchman, from Sedgefield, a member of the South Durham Hunt, based in Wingate, close to Prime Minister Tony Blair's constituency home, said: "It's gone tremendously well and the support has just been overwhelming."

There were several members of the hunt, which refers to itself as "Tony Blair's Hunt", on the march.

Mr Watchman said: "There's a lot more people here than I was expecting and the atmosphere has been tremendous. There's even been support from people who don't hunt, but feel very strongly about the way the countryside has been treated by the Government."

June Dent, from Great Burdon, near Darlington, who follows the Zetland Hunt, said: "We know just about everybody who has travelled down on our train because we are a community and we look after each other. The Government is destroying our whole way of life."

Stuart Dent, from Great Burdon, said: "I am unconvinced by the fact that somebody makes a bit of a noise and suddenly the whole country is up in arms about the control of foxes, when there are far more important things on the agenda."

Gamekeeper David Marwood, from Stokesley, said: "I believe the hunting ban would be the thin end of the wedge, regardless of what the Government says. Shooting is my livelihood. I don't know how an elected person can ignore this many people."

At the end of a tiring day, protestors clambered back on to their trains and buses confident that they had made their point.

Organisers will now be looking for positive action from the Government to ensure that the protest is noted - and hope there will be no need for a repeat of yesterday's spectacular show of people power.