IT WAS with an air of defiance and determination that hundreds of hunt supporters gathered in Masham on Saturday, the day after the ban came into force.

Determined to preserve a proud tradition, people travelled from miles around to see the West of Yore Hunt and Claro Beagles set off from the market place.

The event was a show of solidarity, as members rejected legal alternatives such as trail hunting, which involves laying an artificial scent of a fox, in favour of merely exercising the animals across the countryside.

Tom Glover, hunt chairman of the Claro Beagles, said about 100 members were taking part, twice the usual number.

"We are very angry," said Mr Glover, who has been hunting hares since 1953. "This has nothing to do with animal welfare, and everything to do with very nasty politics. We are quite determined that we will keep our hounds. We are law-abiding citizens and suffering as a result of a class war brought about by politicians who never go north of the M25."

Joint master of the hunt, Richard Selwyn Sharpe, was supported by his wife, Fleur, and their four sons aged five, ten, 11 and 12.

Mrs Selwyn Sharpe, from Exelby, near Bedale, said their sons had been hunting all their lives and would be taking part that day. "It's something we hope they will be able to continue," she said. "It was very important to us to come out today to show our support and we are all determined to keep going."

Mr Selwyn Sharpe agreed. "We will just have to wait and see how things progress, but there is a great deal of support for us, as shown by all the people who have come out today."

Greyhound coursing clubs from across Yorkshire were out to lend their support. June Douse, who trains her dog at Middleham, said: "We wanted to come to show our support for the hunt, because we all have the same trouble with Mr Blair."

There was an air of sadness, yet tentative optimism among the assembled hunters and supporters. Marion Gray, from Bedale, said: "It is devastating the such an unjust law has managed to be passed, but when you see how many people are here and determined not to stand by and let their way of life be destroyed, it does give you hope for the future."

Young riders were out in force, painting an optimistic picture with their desire to see the tradition continue.

Among them was 14-year-old Sam Townend from the West of Yore Hunt, who has been riding since he was three. "I'm not at all happy about the ban," he said. "Hunting is my passion."

Though not a single voice was raised in protest of hunting throughout the morning, disagreement about the ban had caused more than one rift between friends and families.

One hunt supporter, who did not wish to be named, said: "My brother is all in favour of the ban, and as a result relations have been very strained between us recently. I find it difficult to speak to him now because we both feel so passionately about our different opinions, and it has coloured our whole relationship."

As the hunt prepared to get under way, joint master and huntsman Tim Easby addressed the crowd. To a loud chorus of cheers and applause he urged supporters not to accept the ban lying down.

"It is up to us to see that this unjust Bill does not stand the test of time," he said. "People have said, and will keep saying, that this ban is pathetic. It is not about animal welfare, but class warfare. We will challenge this in the courts and we will get rid of MPs in marginal seats who are not in favour of hunting. We will fight and fight until we can say good riddance to that bigoted, rancid Government, led by Mr Blair.