IN PICTURES and VIDEO: 1,000 turn out for Boxing Day hunt

Around 70 riders took part in the traditional hunt in the 350-acre grounds surrounding Hagley Hall near Stourbridge.

Crowds welcomed the hunters on horseback who were flanked by the hounds as they posed in front of the hall before setting off at 11am.

The hunt at Hagley took place at exactly the same time as the hunt in Newport, which is also organised by the Albrighton and Woodland Hunt.

Since fox hunting was banned in 2004, the hunters have followed trails around the grounds, where the hounds sniff out the scent of foxes without any of the animals being harmed.

Despite the controversy and divided opinion surrounding the meets, those taking part as well as many spectators remain adamant the event is a Boxing Day tradition and should be preserved.

Hunt secretary Justin Hill said: "Horses and hounds have hunted on Boxing Day for hundreds of years. Everybody is welcome and it is a great social occasion. It is part of Christmas."

Ann Thompson, from Birmingham, has been attending the hunts since the 1940s.

The 77-year-old, whose granddaughter Amy Parkes was part of the hunt, said: "It is a British tradition. I love the animals and this is a beautiful place. A lot of people support it and I am one of them."

Huntsman Daniel Hammett said: "It is nice to see so many faces. You get a lot of people who don't normally come during the season but come out for the Boxing Day meet."

Fox hunting has come back into the spotlight this week after sports minister Tracey Crouch said she did not believe the ban should be lifted.

The Conservative Party promised in its 2015 election manifesto to 'give Parliament the opportunity to repeal the Hunting Act on a free vote, with a government bill in government time', providing many supporters hope it could return. It comes as a new survey has suggested 80 per cent of people oppose legalising hunting with dogs