RECORD crowds turned out to see the hunt on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, in the wake of the controversial parliamentary debate over the sport's future.
The North Cotswold Hunt met in Kineton and Broadway and was surrounded by good-natured supporters.
Chairman of the hunt Christopher Houghton said: "There were over 100 riders, including well-known jockeys. It was a lovely day and we had no problem at all." He said there was a crowd of more than 1,000 people in Broadway on Boxing Day, and about 500 were give a tot of port and a mince pie.
Hunt supporter David Robinson of Broadway said: "The turnout was better than for years. I have never seen such a happy crowd."
In the run-up to Christmas the League Against Cruel Sports was urging anti-hunt supporters to turn out and demonstrate, although it is believed only about six turned up in the Cotswolds.
The government is negotiating a 'middle way', whereby hunting could be licensed rather than banned altogether.
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