BERKELEY Hunt attracted the crowds at the weekend, despite a controversial ban being imposed three years ago.

Last Saturday more than 1,000 people turned out to watch the Berkeley Hunt on the first official day of the hunting season.

Despite a difficult 12 months for the countryside, coupled with continuing tension over the hunting ban, organisers said the turnout for the first day was encouraging.

Henry Berkeley said: "The first day went very well. The weather was good and we had more supporters there then we have had for some time.

"It is good to see the support is still there. It has been difficult this year with foot and mouth.

"Supporters tend to come and go over the years so there are good years and bad, but there are always supporters.

"We had 80 mounted on Saturday and a good number on foot that followed the hunt."

Hunting foxes with hounds was outlawed in February 2005, but it remains legal to use dogs to flush out animals to be shot or killed by a bird of prey.

Hunts can also use techniques such as drag hunting, where dogs follow a trail laid in advance by a runner or rider.

Mr Berkeley said: "The scent conditions for hounds weren't very good at the weekend so it took much longer to complete the trails and the hounds did not complete all of them.

"But it was still an enjoyable day for those who attended."

The Countryside Alliance has campaigned for the Hunting Act to be repealed and the organisation took the successful start to the season as an opportunity to repeat its protest.

Simon Hart, chief executive for the Countryside Alliance, said: "The future of hunting is still a hot political issue.

"We have a commitment to repeal and polling showing the increasing public sympathy for the demise of this spiteful piece of legislation."

The Berkeley hunt usually has 40 meets between November and March, but this figure can change depending on weather conditions.

Berkeley Hunt is also famous for its popular Boxing Day hunt, which attracts thousands for its annual festive meet.