DEFIANT hunting supporters have pledged they will be out in force this Boxing Day - and for many years to come.

The Countryside Alliance has called for record numbers of hunt supporters to join meetings across the country, to make the Government think again about banning the sport.

The most popular day in the hunting calendar, Boxing Day, has been termed the "last hurrah" by anti-hunt protesters.

Countryside Alliance Yorkshire spokesman James Bates said: "Hunts are proud of their way of life and the good they do for our countryside, wildlife, communities and the rural economy.

"That is why they encourage people to join them, not just on Boxing Day, but throughout the year, and why more people are hunting now than ever before."

Hunters said it would be "business as usual".

"We have been told that every Boxing Day for the last ten or so years will be the last, so this year is no different," said York and Ainsty hunt master Nick Proctor.

"But there is no Bill before Parliament, and we really believe we will be out there hunting for many years to come.

"We will be looking for the legislation in the coming year based on the principles they have talked about before, not on prejudice.

"I am very confident people will again be asking the same question again next year."

Frank Houghton Brown, the joint master of the Middleton Hunt, based at Birdsall near Malton, agreed, saying: "It will be business as usual in Malton.

"We have had hunts here for hundreds of years, and this year will be no different. We are part of the local rural and agricultural community, and are extremely popular.

"But I would say that if anyone comes and sees the well-wishers packing the Market Square and see the popularity of the hunt, they must take a breath and realise the difficulty of banning something so popular."

Updated: 11:08 Monday, December 22, 2003