NORTH Ledbury Hunt is back in the field again with the traditional start of the new season, having just celebrated its centenary.

The hunt, said to be one of the smallest in England and Wales, is operating under new rules to comply with the Hunting Act 2004, which came into force this year.

Val Allfrey, one of the hunt's masters, said: "The North Ledbury has had to change its policy to remain lawful and to stay within the bounds of the act, exactly as every other hunt is operating."

She said the hunt is able to go out lawfully simply to exercise the hounds or to follow a scent laid down by one of its supporters, so-called drag-hunting.

"So you will see us in our area and, of course, on Boxing Day we will be having our traditional meet, otherwise Christmas would not be the same."

The hunt covers the area between West Malvern, Fromes Hill and Knightwick. Earlier this year, it celebrated its centenary with a lunch attended by 250 members and supporters at Mathon.

A history of the hunt, originally published in 1940, was brought up to date and republished, with copies being sold to members for £10.

Although the neighbouring Ledbury Hunt has been using a bird of prey to kill animals flushed from cover by hounds, this course has not been followed by the North Ledbury.