ONE of the region's most famous hunts will take place this weekend - but without the usual thrill of the chase.

The Zetland huntsmen and women will meet in Aldbrough St John, North Yorkshire, for the first hunt of the year on Saturday but the foot-and-mouth epidemic means the horses and hounds will be unable to ride out.

After the riders and hunt members have got together, the hounds will be sent back to the kennels and the horses will return to the stables.

Some of the huntsmen may stay at the Stanwick Arms to toast the event, but there will be no riding until the foot-and-mouth restrictions are lifted.

Hunt spokesman David Robinson said: "We want to keep up the tradition of the hunt and let people know we are still here despite all the troubles in the countryside.

"Even though we can't go out, we want to celebrate the start of the hunt season.

"This is a real chance for members to come and make contact with each other.

"It is understandable that with farmers still disinfecting their farms, they would not want us going over their land.

"Even if the national restrictions are lifted, we will have to wait until individual farmers let us on to their land before the hunt can resume."

The hunt season usually runs until the end of March.

But Mr Robinson added: "It's a possibility that we could miss the whole season this year."