WESTCOUNTRY huntsmen and women and their supporters turned out in their thousands across the region yesterday for the traditional Boxing Day hunts.

The Hunting Act 2005 banned hunting with dogs, but the sport shows no sign of dying out and plenty of people took the opportunity to enjoy the crisp festive air in glorious sunshine.

There were no reports of clashes with anti-hunt protesters as the meets appeared to run smoothly to chase artificial scents across the fields and moors.

However, there was universal condemnation of the ban, which has affected not just those taking part, but rural workers as well.

In Chagford, Dartmoor, hundreds of supporters of the Mid Devon Hunt turned out in the crisp morning air to see off the riders and the hounds.

They brought the town to a standstill as they filled the square with noise and life, the riders enjoying the customary drink before they left for their romp across the countryside.

Hunt master George Lyon-Smith whipped up the crowd with a defiant speech before they raced off in the direction of Throwleigh.

"The New Year will bring us one year closer to the repeal of this ridiculous ban that they have brought in," he told them.

He told the Western Morning News the ban had led to nothing but a waste of the police and criminal courts' time and taxpayers' money.

"We need a repeal of the ban because it is ridiculous," he said between sips of whisky.

"They haven't yet had a successful prosecution of anyone hunting. There is a tremendous amount of support for hunting around here, and there always is."

Hannah Allman, the wife of the hunt whipper-in Guy Allman, said: "It is nice to see so many people out supporting us again."

The East Devon Hunt met yesterday at Woodbury Castle, on Woodbury Common, with about 60 horsemen and women.

Spirits were high as families turned ut to see them off, and plastic cups of port and brandy were passed around.

Hunt master Chris Stevenson, 52, has been taking part in the Boxing Day hunt for 30 years. He said: "It is great to see so many people here today watching us and showing their support.

"Hunting is a tradition that has been around for thousands of years and I know it will continue for years to come."

Since the ban on foxhunting came into effect in February 2005, the East Devon Hunt has used scent trails for the hounds to follow instead. The scent trail had been laid out earlier by James Phillips, 18, on his quad bike.

He has been taking part in the Boxing Day hunt for three years with his sister Becky, 14.

He said: "We are hunting within the law using a scent which the hounds will pick easily. Because of this method, thankfully, the tradition of Boxing Day hunts will continue."

Dozens of people turned out as the West Somerset Vale hunt gathered in Nether Stowey, on the edge of the Quantock Hills, bringing the centre of the village to a standstill at The Cross as supporters cheered the hunters on their way.

The massive turnout at Cornwall's Western Hunt was testament to its growing popularity in the face of the hunting ban, according to huntsmen.

Hundreds of people gathered in the picturesque village of Madron, near Penzance, for the sights, sounds and smells of the Boxing Day meet.

Andrew Richards, whipping-in yesterday, said: "It's incredible how popular the hunt has become again.

"We're getting through the ban. But it's still hard times and we still want to go back to how things were.

"I've always enjoyed hunting and to be out here with the hounds is just fantastic."

One of the riders, David Harris, said: "We have got support from the followers and landowners and we shall carry on hunting within the law."

One of the youngest riders was six-year-old Millie Olds on her pony Holly, who said she loved going out hunting.

Her mother, Hannah Olds, said: "This is our life and we love it. I think the support has got even stronger since the ban came in."

Many people at the hunt said it was of the utmost importance to keep the countryside tradition going.

David Bisson, a hunt supporter, said: "It's part of history and it always should be part of our lives.

"Our rights should not be taken away from us. People should be allowed to do what they want to do. You can see the crowd here and they are all enjoying it."

As the horses and dogs milled around the square, Peter Edwards was busy delivering mulled wine to riders in their finery in preparation for the exertion ahead.

Mr Edwards, a former hunt secretary, has experienced enough broken bones to stop riding in the hunt but is still heavily involved in the organisation.

He said: "The support we've got is absolutely tremendous. There are so many young people and newcomers. They want to support something which they think should be allowed to continue on a proper basis."