THE Zetland Hunt held its traditional Boxing Day meet on the green at Aldbrough St John on Monday when a larger-than-usual number of riders and spectators gathered to show support in case this was the last such event.

Nicky Vigors, of Cleasby, one of the hunt's three joint masters, who was unable to ride owing to an injury, addressed the crowd saying that they were celebrating freedom, tradition and the rural way of life.

Towards the end of his speech, he said the infrastructure of the Zetland hunt would be kept going while legislation to ban the activity was challenged in the courts. "We owe it to our staff, our hounds, our supporters and our children and their children. We owe it to the countryside." he said speaking with as much passion as the battery-operated megaphone could convey.

People from Aldbrough St John and surrounding villages mingled with the riders as hounds sniffed at everything while waiting for the off. Speaking of them, Mr Vigors said all were carefully bred, with known pedigrees going back many generations.

Professional photographer Andy Elliott, from Stockton, who is photographing hunts all over the country, took a group photograph from atop a horse box.

With the hounds at the front along with the hunt officials, other riders behind and spectators behind them, the crowd spread across the full width of the green to the Stanwick Arms. Those interested in obtaining copies of Mr Elliott's pictures can visit his web site at www.andyelliottphotography.com

The occasion marked by courtesy and good humour, with no sign of any anti-hunting lobby, though one woman bystander raised a brief flurry of concern about a group of men congregating outside the pub - they turned out to be Richmond on Swale Morris Men who always perform once the hunt has left.

After the photographs were taken, the horn sounded and the riders left under the mastership of Michael Allison of Cleatlam.

Everyone present seemed optimistic that the hunt would meet next Boxing Day and that opinion was moving towards acceptance of the pro-hunting argument.

The morris men were photographed dancing by Rachel Boynton, daughter of one of them, Neil Boynton. Her pictures will be used to illustrate the group's web site at www.richmond-on-swalemorrismen.co.uk. Several bystanders were persuaded to join in one dance, including this reporter, who felt it was necessary in the interests of accurate reporting, but does not intend to continue the activity.