HUDREDS of hunt supporters turned out in force in Minehead on Boxing Day for what was hailed a trouble-free and excellent meet.

The traditional boxing day event saw about 600 people congregate in Wellington Square nearly three years after the hunting bad was first introduced.

The 2004 Act made hunting with dogs a criminal offence, although exercising hounds, chasing a scent trail and flushing out foxes to be shot are all legal.

Although court cases are currently pending for alleged wrongdoings, the Minehead Harriers said it was one of the most successful meets in their history.

"The meet was very well attended and we had a lovely turnout, as we've come to expect, and there were absolutely no problems, as we've also come to expect," said Tim Holt, secretary of the Minehead Harriers.

"We hope the problems of the past are behind us, although we have continued problems with court cases pending, but I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everybody for attending the meet and hope they all had a merry Christmas and have a happy New Year. Now we will move onwards and upwards."

The Wellington Hotel played host to the event and also reported a trouble-free and successful event.

"We had an excellent day as ever, everyone was well behaved and had a thoroughly enjoyable day, one of the best," said Rod Price, chief executive of the hotel.

"There will always be those who are going to be anti-hunt but fortunately for us there were no problems and an enjoyable day was had by all."

Following the meets, anti-hunt campaign group the League Against Cruel Sports said it did not object to the Boxing Day meets provided they stayed within the law.

Spokesman Ivor Anettes said: "They had quite a turnout on Boxing Day and if they all obeyed the law then we have no problem with that.

"But if you monitor hunts like we do you will know their support in some hunts is in fact falling."

For more pics see inside next week's West Somerset County Gazette