THE foxhunting season got underway on a bullish note at the weekend.

Members of hunts in Worcestershire and Herefordshire said they would not give up their fight against a ban on hunting with hounds because they did not want to see a "rural way of life destroyed."

Some huntsmen and women, including Worcestershire dentist Tim Lewin, of the Ledbury Hunt have signed the so-called Martyrs List, volunteering to be the first people to go to prison if prosecuted in the event of a ban.

But anti-hunt campaigners said they hoped it was only a matter of time before legislation was passed to prohibit the sport.

Bob Brierley, Worcester Hunt spokesman, said nobody truly believed this would be their last season.

He said: "This hunt is very healthy. We are noticing that as this Government is against us, the more people want to come along and see for themselves.

"We are getting more and more newcomers because over the years, we have got rid of the myths."

He said 50,000 people had already said they would join in civil disobedience if a ban was passed.

"Middle-of-the-road, law-abiding citizens like us are now saying enough is enough," he added.

Ledbury Hunt spokesman Donald Haden said the spectre of a ban had not entered the heads of most of the 100 who took part in the first meet.

"It's all about prejudice," he said. "It was a tremendous day."

"Some people have been pessimistic and we simply don't know what will happen, but we must keep going. We don't want the rural way of life destroyed.

"Many that say hunting should be banned know nothing about it."

But Anita Knittel of the Worcester branch of the League Against Cruel Sports was hoping this would be the last season.

She said: "We are optimistic because this is a matter of animal cruelty."

"It's absolutely nothing to do with town versus the countryside, most of the people who hunt are lawyers, barristers and businessmen.

"The majority of people in the countryside want to see it banned."

The current Hunting Bill has been blocked by the House of Lords which is against an outright ban.

Ministers have threatened to use the Parliament Act to steamroller it through.