ORGANISERS of a popular North Yorkshire fun ride have warned that this year's event will be the last if hunting is banned.

Based on a 12-mile course starting and finishing at Lightwater Valley, near Ripon, the West of Yore fun ride has been staged for the past seven years.

This year's event takes place on Sunday, March 12, starting at 9am, but the organisers have issued a warning note to all would-be participants.

It says: "If hunting is abolished it is very unlikely that this event will continue, thereby depriving both you as a participant and charities of its benefits.

"Should you feel strongly about this, please ensure that the prospective candidates of all parties in your constituency know your views."

West of Yore Hunt spokesman Richard Wells added: "It's not our intention to be party poopers. We know how much pleasure the ride and the optional jumping around some of our best hunting country has given to people.

"But it's a fact. Without the hunt, its course markers, stewards and jump builders would disappear and the farmers and landowners wouldn't be interested in the ride continuing."

Since 1994, 2,000 people have taken part in the ride. Money raised has gone to charities including Riding for the Disabled, the Injured Jockeys Fund, the Alzheimers Society and MacMillan Nurses, as well as feeding the hounds and subsidising young riders to take part in a hunt and see for themselves what is involved.