HUNTING supporters are being encouraged to back the traditional Boxing Day meets in Droitwich Spa, Feckenham and Hagley.

The hunts are expecting record turnouts 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, 2005.

The Worcestershire Hunt will meet at the Raven Hotel, Victoria Square, in Droitwich Spa at 11am and the Albrighton Woodland Hunt will meet at Hagley Hall at 11am. At 12pm at the Rose and Crown pub, in High Street, Feckenham, the Warwickshire Beagles will meet to show their commitment to the traditional countryside way of life.

Secretary for the Worcestershire Hunt, Ian Frank, is expecting a huge turnout at the meet. He said: "Normally we get close on 600 people, with about 70 of those mounted, but this year we are expecting about 800 people."

He 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 the last Boxing Day hunt, but we are looking forward to a positive outcome of the legal challenge currently going through the courts."

Countryside Alliance Regional Director for the West Midlands, Clare Rowson, 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 Hunts will continue to hunt in a legal form until the Hunting Act is repealed."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 spokesman and activist for Redditch Animal Rights, Kevin White, 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."