DURHAM and North Yorkshire hunts collected hundreds of signatures from well-wishers in favour of hunting with dogs at the weekend.

Members of the Shildon Countryside Movement and the Braes of Derwent, South Durham, Hurworth and Zetland hunts took part in the Countryside Alliance's Parliament Square vigil.

Twenty-six people manned the site in shifts from 10am on Saturday through to 11am on Sunday, during which time well over 200 signatures were collected in support of fox hunting.

They were then handed in to 10 Downing Street by members of the night watch before leaving.

The vigil started in March when Alun Michael, Minister of State for Rural Affairs, announced the present consultation period.

Angie Vaux, chairman of the Northern region of the Countryside Alliance, said luck was on their side when it came to the weather, which was dry and mild.

"What we had thought would be a boring chore we were prepared to do, to show Parliament our determined commitment to fight any proposed bill to ban hunting with dogs, turned out to be an extremely heartening, enjoyable and entertaining 24 hour cabaret.

"We met and were entertained by literally hundreds of interesting - and interested people - the vast majority of whom were supportive to our cause.

"We were showered with gifts of food and drink, given CDs by up and coming hopeful musicians and a lesson in playing the didgeridoo by a German.

"Some members of the team were issued with invitations to visit Canada and Australia, as well as European destinations."

Many of the humorous incidents would be worthy of re-enactment at the next Zetland Hunt review.

"We were well looked after by the friendly Metropolitan Police - not that any protection was needed - and members of Westminster Council, whose domain we were in on the pavement.

"Mr Livingstone would not have us on his territory, the grass, but unfortunately did not come to tell us so in person."

Mrs Vaux said the numbers of Londoners who said they intended to join in the September 22 march, and the hooting of horns and thumbs-up signs from bus and taxi drivers as well as ordinary motorists, was uplifting.

"It showed the cause of the Liberty and Livelihood march for the rural communities is something far closer to the Westminster MPs' constituents' hearts than to many of the MPs themselves," she added