IN reply to Audrey Steel's letter (You Say, January 7) I must correct her allegations regarding the purpose of the barriers.

At the December, 2000, meet barriers were erected on one side of the road only and protesters were requested to remain behind them, which we did.

However, this meant that the supporters were free to go wherever they wished without restriction.

After the riders had passed, the supporters blocked the road by surging to the middle and waving their professionally- produced placards provocatively in our faces and jeering at us.

I complained to the police on duty and was advised to write to the Chief Constable. The reply set out the conditions imposed on the Hunt, which was that, for safety reasons, barriers were to be erected on both sides of the road for 16 metres, and the road could be closed for 10 minutes only.

As these conditions had been flagrantly ignored, they were considering legal action as the police had been placed in an invidious position.

At the December, 2001, meet, barriers were erected on both sides of the road as required and protesters and supporters were requested to stay behind them for safety reasons.

The protesters complied and so did most of the supporters, with the exception of a man and a woman who stood in front of us in the middle of the road loudly cheering and applauding the riders.

The noise generated by 600 supporters cheering and applauding by far outdid the noise from the protesters.

It is difficult to see how moving riders on horseback could be spat at. I think this must be a figment of Audrey Steel's imagination.

Perhaps she should also reflect on the fact that, if the hunters did not expose their horses to the expected derisory comments, there would be no problem.

MRS MARION J LARGE,

Worcester.