THERE was a bumper turn out for the traditional New Year's Day hunt at Thornton-le-Dale.

This year, about 350 people turned out for the meet - despite the law preventing hunting with hounds, which many thought might spell the end of the tradition.

About 40 riders and more than 30 hounds took part in the Derwent Hunt meet at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, yesterday. Last year, about 30 riders took part.

The Derwent Hunt meets twice a week in hunting season, which runs from September to April.

It has met on New Year's Day at The Hall, Thornton-le-Dale, every year since it was founded in 1808.

Landlady at The Hall Carol Hodgson said: "It was a fantastic day for it.

"The weather was fine for the setting off and we gave out mulled wine as usual.

"The hunt has been going on for so many years here now and it's always well attended and this year was no exception.

"I'd say there were even more there than last year and I didn't see any anti-hunt protesters."

The hunt supporters were among thousands from across the country who took part in the traditional festive ride almost two years since the Government's Hunting Act outlawed conventional hunting.

Hunt treasurer Clive Proctor said yesterday's event had been particularly well attended.

He said: "We had an excellent turn out. The hunting ban doesn't seem to have done anything to affect our numbers, both in terms of people riding out and people on foot and spectators coming to see the hunt off.

"Support seems as strong as ever. When the ban first came in it was rather worrying because we didn't know how it would change things.

"We have had to change to come in with the law and carry on legal hunting, laying a trail. There will be no foxes killed.

"We have been going almost 200 years and this year there were no protesters whatsoever, which made a really welcome change."