HUNTSMEN rounded up a group of masked anti-fox hunters and held them for more than an hour in a Wild West-style stand off.

In a scene more reminiscent of Rawhide than Rushock, near to where the incident took place, around 10 riders from the Worcestershire Hunt encircled the balaclava-clad group until the police arrived.

They did this after one of the riders was allegedly pulled from his horse. However, animal rights activist Kate Gardener, who was monitoring the hunt but was not one of those held, denied that anyone was pulled off their mount.

She claimed: "We were in a vehicle on our way to pick up those encircled by the hunt.

"One of the hunt monitors was assaulted by one of the riders. We do actually have it on video."

She said this would be handed over to the police. According to her, none of the monitors were arrested or charged.

However, David Palmer, joint master of the Worcestershire Hunt, claimed the group had been harrassed by protesters.

He said: "They came on to private property and were carrying short rope whips. We asked them to leave. They were very abusive."

Around 80 to 100 riders were out with the hunt on Saturday. Riders left Mr Palmer's farm in Rushock, near Droitwich, at around 11.15am.

About 15 minutes later, it is alleged that Mr Plamer's son, Giles, was pulled from his horse.

Mr Palmer said: "It's mindless hooliganism to behave like that."

He added he had no qualms with the police taking more than an hour to arrive.