WENSLEYDALE Foxhounds are up and running over the fells after a year of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Huntsman Maurice Bell, from Hawes, his hounds and the rest of the foot followers are celebrating their newly gained freedom, although gales and torrential rain made it too dangerous to hold two outings.

There are still some areas which are out of bounds until the hunt is given the all-clear, especially in Coverdale.

Mr Bell told the D&S Times: "The farmers want us to go. There are a lot of foxes about in the high fells, far more than before. They have never been a problem here.

"The first two weekends there were too many foxes and the hounds weren't settling on one.

"But they were unbelievable considering they haven't been out of the kennels since February 19 last year.

"I thought they might be a bit unruly, but when they were let out of the trailer they behaved as if nothing had happened and when I blew the horn they all came back."

Tomorrow, the hunt will meet at the kennels and on Sunday at Widdaleside. Telephone the kennels for Wednesday's meet on 01969 667260.