Nearly 2,000 defiant supporters demonstrated their opposition against the fox-hunting ban on Boxing Day.

Around 52 riders of the Oakley Hunt – which has its kennels in Melchbourne, North Bedfordshire – gathered at Castle Ashby, Northants, for its traditional holiday meeting with hounds.

They were backed up by a crowd rivalling that attracted by the Bedford Blues for an average home game at Goldington Road.

The Hunting Act of 2004 banned hare coursing, fox and stag hunting in England and Wales from February 18, 2005.

So, for the second Christmas in succession, the Oakley Hunt, formed in 1795, organised a trail hunt instead.

A horseman rode out in front of hounds, dangling a piece of cloth to leave an artificial scent.

Dogs, foot-followers and riders also took part in a 'hound exercise', with permission from landowners.

Martyn Garner, 47, joint master of the hunt, said: "We are still going strong and had more people join us this Christmas.

"Nearly 2,000 supporters joined us on foot throughout the day, so it was an immense show of support.

"Although not a traditional hunt, we have kept within the law and took part in exercises which complied with the Hunting Act. It was a throughly enjoyable day."

Mr Garner, who has been joint master of the hunt for three years, said: "We are determined and are trying to change the law.

"We are working alongside the Countryside Alliance to appeal in the House of Lords next year.

"But should that fail, we will look to go to the courts in Europe to overturn the ban."

Joint master of the hunt Patrick Campbell, 39, added: "It is not that we are going soft or laying low, but we have had to be very careful with the media publicity and restrictions imposed by the Government.

"This was very much a legal hunt, but we want to revert back to our traditions."

In trying to continue century-old customs, the Oakley Hunt organises hound exercises and trail hunts most Saturdays within the Bedfordshire area, occasionally using a bird of prey to kill its quarry.

The Act allows two dogs to flush out a fox or other animal towards a marksman, who can shoot it.

Hunts can only deploy a full-size pack of hounds to exercise them, or to follow a scent trail.

But some have bought eagles, to make use of clauses within the Act intended to enable falconry to carry on.

The Oakley Hunt's own bird Isla, specially imported from Germany, was used during the New Year's Eve meeting in 2005, and allows the hunt to continue to ride out with a full pack of hounds without breaking the law.

The Oakley Hunt said its Boxing Day ride passed off without protest, and will continue its campaign by organising more hunting exercises at Silsoe and Westoning between January and March.