Jeremy Whaley, master and huntsman of the Froxfield-based South Downs Bloodhounds, thought his career was over after the season finished at the end of March.

Although the hunt, which follows a trail left by human quarry, had made a profit during the season it was not enough to cover for the inactive summer months, leaving too little money to run repairs, pay rents and, most importantly, feed and care for the hounds.

But no sooner had Mr Whaley spread the news that the hunt was to fold than supporters began to offer their help.

Now enough money has been raised to see them through the summer and volunteers have come forward to organise fund-raising events in the future.

"It has been overwhelming," said Mr Whaley, who has run the hunt from Froxfield since he brought his hounds down from Scotland three years ago.

"I wasn't expecting that sort of result. We are a very young hunt and I didn't think we had built up that kind of support but within four hours of sending an e-mail telling people we were to close we had eight responses from people pledging financial support."

The South Downs Blood-hounds runs a clean boot hunt, which sees a runner set off in advance of the hounds to leave a trail for them to follow.

The trail is not enhanced by any artificial scent or drag and relies solely on the hounds' ability to pick up the line.

The hunt has grown since its launch in 2005 and it received record attendances in its last few hunts of this season. Despite its growing popularity Mr Whaley did not expect such a strong bond to have grown between the followers and the hunt.

"I knew people enjoyed hunting with the bloodhounds but I didn't realise it was that important to them. It is very encouraging," he added.

"Financially we finished the season in credit but we did not have enough to see us through the summer.

"Although the pledges of financial support made the difference we can't do this every year.

"As a result lots of people said they would help to organise fund-raising events to help supplement our income. We are building year on year and hopefully this will be the turning point."

The hunting season resumes in late August and September but the hounds can be seen at Froxfield Fete on June 29.

Form more information on the hunt visit the website: www. southdownsbloodhounds.com