HUNDREDS turned out to see the annual Boxing Day hunt set off from The Bucks Head pub in Meonstoke.

The event is now so popular and attracts such crowds, the road outside the pub is virtually closed until the riders and hounds from the Hursely Hambledon Hunt have set off from the village.

Hunt secretary Helen Coker said: “There were about 60 riders of all ages and abilities, and hundreds of supporters turned up to watch the hunt set off – I think this was one the busiest Boxing day hunts.

“It was lovely to see so many people come along to support the hunt.

“It was a magnificent turnout and there is nothing that supporters want to see more than a large number of horses and riders filing away from the meet following the hounds.

“I think this traditional event has become so popular it is part of many people’s Christmas festivities, they put it in their diary.”

The riders set off after the traditional ‘stirrup cup’ in the pub car park, led by 35 hounds from the hunt’s pack, which is kennelled at nearby Droxford.

The Hursley Hambledon Hunt covers the countryside from East of Salisbury to the western side of Petersfield, and on Boxing Day the hunt went almost as far as West?Meon before heading home.

But although the riders left in lovely weather, rain soon made it’s presence felt, said Helen.

She added: “We were lucky with the weather early on, but by the end of the day there were some very wet riders and hounds.

“But spirits remained high and it was a good day.”

The scene at Meonstoke was replicated across the country, said the rural campaign organisation, the Countryside Alliance. It said hundreds of thousands of riders and spectators turned out for the Boxing Day meets of the 250 or so hunts registered in the Uk.

Countryside Alliance’s hunting spokesman Polly Portwin said: “With huge crowds showing their support again for the Boxing Day meets, and an increasing number of young people joining the hunting field, the future of hunting is secure.”

Chief executive Tim Bonner added that despite the hunting restrictions since 2004, the Boxing Day hunts are gaining in support.