Boxing Day hunts

Hunt supporters in Shropshire and Mid Wales today hailed a successful series of Boxing Day outings.

Also see: Hunting expert hits out at dogs rule

They said more people turned out to enjoy the busy annual outing than ever.nextpage

Campaigners insist it is still as popular - or even more so - after the 2005 Hunting Act which severely restricted the practice.nextpage

The new law made it illegal to hunt foxes with hounds, but still allows the use of dogs to flush out wild animals so they can be shot or killed by a bird of prey.

The Albrighton Hunt was also followed on its route through Newport by the Newport and District Driving Society's carriage parade.nextpage

Eleven carriages pulled by horses and ponies passed through the crowds before travelling to The Lamb at Edgmond. nextpage

Society secretary Ursula M Dobrowolska said £600 was collected for County Air Ambulance.nextpage

Ann Carding, senior master of the North Shropshire Hunt, said: "We had about 60 horses and we had several hundred people on the ground on their feet."nextpage

Hundreds of people also watched the Tanatside Hunt set off from the Royal Oak in Welshpool.nextpage

The Ludlow hunt master brings the hounds through the town centre.