MORE than 1,200 people turned out to cheer on Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt at its first meet after the hunting ban.

Crowds of supporters greeted 80 hunt members on Saturday at Croome Court.

Joint master Pat Allen said the hunt acted within the law but felt police would have a hard task policing the ban.

"I think they are standing back and are going to let the RSPCA or League Against Cruel Sports do the monitoring themselves," she said. "We'll do everything within the law, but the law has lots of loopholes."