DOZENS of riders and their hounds set out from Rivington in fine form today for the traditional Holcombe Hunt Boxing Day meet.

Last year the hunt marked its 400th anniversary, yet not to be out done, at the stroke of noon the resplendent scarlet garbed riders of all ages, and on mounts of varying size, took to the field to rapturous applause.

Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch as the hounds were paraded and the riders majestically cantered and made a fence jump.

Then at the sound of the horn the host set out on the ride itself, following a trail of urine laid out for the hounds to follow across the West Pennine Moors.

Senior master of the hunt, Sue Simmons, said: "The hunt in Rivington is one of the most historic in Britain, dating back 1,000 years. We are now, since the ban in 2004, a modern hunt which trails and exercises hounds within the law.

"Our members are a cross section of the general public from livery owners to office workers to farmers and land owners, and there are also young people and children."

She added: "In Lancashire the hunt is very traditional and there are families and land owners is the area whose families have supported the Holcombe Hunt from decade to decade and generation to generation. And despite the changes in the law they like to keep the hunt going."

Around 50 Harrier hounds, all bred in the North West, made up the hunt's pack, including four winners of the Peterborough Festival of Hunting.

The Harriers are bred to be swift and agile to clear fences and canter cross country, with their descent traceable back to the original medieval Norman Chien de Gascogne.

Throughout the year the Holcombe Hunt exercise their hounds weekly as well as attending numerous events across the country during the summer, such as the Yorkshire and Lowther Shows.

Riders from the hunt also take part in team and dressage events, as well as hosting social gatherings.

Ms Simmons said: "We are not just a hunt we have a varied range of equestrian and hound activities and we we would like to encourage anyone who would like to get involved to get in touch with us. We are more than happy to welcome new people into the hunt in the modern day."

Hunting live quarry with dogs was banned in 2004, after the Speaker of the Commons invoked the Parliament Act to force the legislation through.

However the sport continues in a legal format with around 40,000 people estimated to take part in sporting activities on Boxing Day.

For more information on the Holcombe Hunt visit www.holcombehunt.com/.