DEFIANT fox-hunts met across Worcestershire over the weekend despite the ban on hunting with hounds.

Hundreds of supporters attended the opening meets to mark the start of the bloodsport's season, using loopholes in the law to continue the activity.

The Hunting Act forbids using hounds to hunt foxes - but allows drag hunts and the use of dogs to flush out the foxes so they can be shot or seized by birds of prey.

But Clare Rowson, of the Countryside Alliance, said none of the 33 hunts across the West Midlands had acted illegally while riding out over the weekend.

"A hunt still looks the same, sounds the same and smells the same but we simply use loopholes in this unworkable law to enable us to continue.

"I am unsure how many foxes were killed. I do know hunts were successful and those attending were as defiant and determined as ever to continue hunting and maintain the structure of the sport until such time as the law is abolished."

David Palmer, joint master of Worcestershire Hunt - which has a bird of prey in training at the moment - said he enjoyed an excellent day but no fox was killed.

"There were more people than ever on our hunt, as I think is the case universally. We all had a fabulous time and didn't do anybody any harm."