BEACONS blazed across North and East Yorkshire as thousands of people heeded a clarion call to safeguard the countryside.

Bonfires were lit and a rocket relay spread across the country as part of the Countryside Alliance's protest against what they say is the Government's lack of understanding of rural life.

More than 100 farmers and hunt supporters gathered at a beacon on the North York Moors organised by Saltersgate Farmers' Hunt, which took place as part of the national demonstration.

Farmer Stuart Warriner, who supplied the straw and fuel for the bonfire, said: "We had over 100 people there and we were expecting maybe only about 40. I think it showed that everyone was thinking along the same lines."

Joint master of the hunt, Lee Cade, took his family to the demonstration, including 11-month-old son, Freddie.

Mr Cade said: "We could see all the other beacons on the horizons all around - I think there were about six in the distance. It was a good feeling with everyone there, and each time the rockets went up you could imagine who was there at the bonfires."

Farmer Andrew Brown, who looks after 44 hounds as joint master of the hunt with Mr Cade, said rural people felt that the Government was no longer listening.

"They don't care about the countryside, they don't care about farmers."

Lindy Best, from the Countryside Alliance, said: "Beacons have always been used to signal something and I think this has been an uplifting thing. It's a way of uniting the country - you stand up on a hill top and see the other beacons, it's a feeling of solidarity."

An 8ft 'beacon' was due to be lit in the heart of Westminster today to warn the Government of the growing anger in rural communities. The signal, which was made of real firewood, but with flames of red silk, lights and smoke effects, was lit to highlight the crisis in the countryside.

About 300,000 people are expected to converge on London on Sunday, in what will be the largest peacetime civil rights demonstration in UK history.

More than 2,000 coaches and 31 chartered trains have been organised to take demonstrators from across the country.

To register for the march supporters should phone 0900 102 0900 or visit www.march-info.org

Updated: 12:08 Tuesday, September 17, 2002