HUNT supporters are being encouraged to throw their weight behind the traditional Boxing Day meets in Droitwich Spa, Feckenham and Hagley.

The hunts are expecting record turnouts on Sunday as countryside folk show their determination to support their local hunt in the face of the Hunting Act, which comes into force on February 18.

The Worcestershire Hunt will meet at the Raven Hotel, Victoria Square, in Droitwich at 11am. The Albrighton Woodland Hunt meets at Hagley Hall at 11am.

Meanwhile, the Warwickshire Beagles will meet at 12pm at the Rose and Crown pub, in High Street, Feckenham, to show their commitment to the traditional countryside way of life.

Ian Frank, who is secretary for the Worcestershire Hunt, is expecting a huge turnout at the meet.

"Normally we get close on 600 people, with about 70 of those mounted but this year we are expecting about 800 people."

Mr Frank added: "We have provided marshals to help the police and ensure it is a festive celebration. It will be a very emotional and sad occasion if it is the last Boxing Day hunt but we are looking forward to a positive outcome of the legal challenge currently going through the courts."

Clare Rowson, Countryside Alliance regional director for the West Midlands, said: "This will not be the last Boxing Day meet. Hunts will continue to hunt in a legal form until the Hunting Act is repealed." But Kevin White, a spokesman and activist for Redditch Animal Rights, said: "We will demonstrate at the Worcestershire Hunt meet in Droitwich on Boxing Day. When the hunting ban comes into effect, we will do all we can to help collect evidence which can be given to the police, so it is properly enforced."