HUNT supporters came out in force for traditional Boxing Day meets in the county.

One of the largest turn-outs was at Chipping Norton, where thousands of people came to watch the gathering of the Heythrop Hunt, outside The Fox Hotel, in Market Square.

Between 80 to 100 people rode out, dressed in their traditional hunting gear.

Hunt secretary, Guy Avis, said the ice had put a few people off this year.

He said: “We didn’t have as many people on horses as we have done in the past, because the ground was still icy. But there were a lot of people out on the streets watching. We seem to get more and more people each year.”

Since the ban on hunting with dogs in 2005, most hunts formed hound clubs and continued under the new legislation. Instead of hunting foxes to kill, hound clubs follow artificial trails.