HUNTSMEN and hounds rode into the historic market place of a Ryedale town in an attempt to make amends with residents following a controversial pro-hunting stunt.

Members of the Saltersgate Farmers' Hunt met in Pickering for the first time in 60 years, to demonstrate to local people that its members are "law-abiding".

On March 7, members of several local hunts attempted to stop a steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway so they could confront Scarborough MP Lawrie Quinn, who backed the ban on hunting with dogs - a move widely condemned.

Gordon Wheldon, Saltersgate Hunt chairman, said Pickering was traditionally the territory of the Derwent Hunt, but he said: "After the incident in the station, we wanted to show to the people of Pickering that we are law-abiding and don't want to cause upset."

Mr Wheldon said he believed the seriousness of the station incident had been exaggerated by some people.

Acting Sergeant Mike Pannett, who tore a muscle in his shoulder when he grabbed the reins of one rider in the original protest, said: "As far as I'm concerned, personally, and also as the police sergeant here, they should be able to show that they disagree with legislation that has been forced on them.

"They were absolutely fine and had no intention at all to cause any trouble."

Earlier, a controversial Orange parade through the twin towns of Malton and Norton passed off without any major incidents, though there were some protests.

Tradition dictated that the march, organised by the Scarborough-based Lord Louis Mountbatten Memorial Lodge, was held in the east coast resort on the last weekend in March, with the first march of the day starting from the home of the Lodge Master - who is currently Alex Gibson, of Norton.

A county flute band from Motherwell headed the march, which snaked along Langton Road and Commercial Street, and passed from Norton to Malton along County Bridge to Castlegate.

A crowd came out to view the march, with no hostile reactions until one protester appeared in Wheelgate and harangued the marchers.

As the parade turned into Wentworth Street car park, where it was to finish, two women dressed in Celtic football shirts staged a small protest.

Clare Horsfall, who protested along with her mother, Janice Palmer, said: "This is disgraceful because we don't need this in our small town with all the trouble it has caused in Northern Ireland."

Mr Gibson, who has lived in Norton for ten years, but is originally from Perth, in Scotland, said: "This is just happening as part of the Scarborough parade.

"With me living in Norton, it is normal for the lodge to pick up from your house," he said.

Updated: 09:22 Monday, March 28, 2005