A new date has been announced for the traditional Boxing Day meet of The Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt.

This year’s meet will be held at 10.45am at Worcester Lodge, Didmarton, on Monday, December 27.

As Boxing Day falls on a Sunday this year - a day when trail hunting does not take place - hunts across the country will host their traditional Boxing Day meets on the Bank Holiday Monday instead.

Matt Ramsden, from the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt, said: “The Beaufort Hunt is delighted to be meeting at Worcester Lodge this year and we look forward to welcoming local residents, supporters, friends and families again, after being unable to do so last year due to Covid restrictions.

“We hope people can plan their festivities to ensure they are still able to show their support for our hounds and we look forward to seeing people there.”

While the meets are usually well-attended, the practice does have its critics. The National Trust recently banned trail hunting on its land and earlier this year hidden-camera footage revealed staff from the Beaufort Hunt shooting their hounds in the head after they were no longer deemed fit for purpose.