THE historic Holcombe Hunt went ahead — with hundreds of people turning out despite the torrential rain.

Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout at the event at Rivington Hall Barn, with riders and visitors fighting their way through the floods to fulfill the Boxing Day tradition.

The weather meant that the hunt featured about 50 different riders in comparison to the usual 100, but hundreds of people still came out to watch the event, featuring smartly dressed riders in their traditional red coats.

Hunting foxes and hares with dogs was outlawed in 2005, but dogs can still be used to follow a scent.

Sue Simmons, the hunt master, said: "We were quite amazed that so many people managed to come out despite the weather, and we were delighted with the support that people showed us.

"It's such as Boxing Day tradition that people come to see the hunt and have a walk and burn off some calories, it is good that people still came out in spite of the weather."

The Holcombe Hunt is one of the oldest in the country and dates back to 1086, with its hounds believed to be direct descendants of the Blue Gascoignes, who were brought across the Channel by the Normans.

The hunt comes as renewed debate about the fox hunting ban intensifies.

The sports minister, Tracey Crouch, has said that fox hunting is a “pursuit for the past” that should be “consigned to history”, adding that the government has “better things to be concerned with” than fulfilling a pledge from the Conservatives to hold a vote on repealing the act.

A recent poll also suggested that opposition to fox hunting was at an all time high.

Hunt master Sue added: "As long as we can continue our tradition within the confines of the law, we will carry on. The Holcombe Hunt has a history going back to 1086, and we are the custodians of this British tradition."