HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Droitwich Spa to show their support at the annual Boxing Day hunt meet.

People gathered to witness the centuries old tradition unfold on Wednesday, December 26.

There was a huge turnout, both on foot and mounted, for the Worcestershire Hunt meet outside the Raven Hotel in Droitwich.

The site’s car park and Queen Street were packed with supporters eager to catch a glimpse of the horses and hounds.

The crowd applauded as riders entered the street on horseback and tipped their hats to members of the public.

Emma Dutson, aged 22, of Bromsgrove, said: “I do normally ride at the Boxing Day meet on horseback, but my horse is off lame. I support [the hunt] most weeks.

“I like the social side, but we’re from a farming background as well. I’ve grown up with it.”

Emma and Buzz Temple-Worgan enjoyed a family outing with 15-month-old son Leo and dog Tia.

Mrs Temple-Worgan, of Webheath, Redditch, said: “I used to be a freelance groom for the Worcestershire Hunt. Where I come from, it’s tradition.”

Ali Tate, master of the foxhounds, said she was delighted by the turnout in the town. She said: “As always, the support has been fantastic, both mounted and from the people of Droitwich. It’s lovely to see everybody.”

Other hunt meets took place in Pershore on Boxing Day as well as in Upton-upon-Severn on Christmas Eve.

Despite hundreds of people supporting the hunt, one woman in Pershore was escorted away after shouting at some of the supporters. PC John Hunter said she was asked to leave the area.

There is no imminent prospect of a parliamentary vote on repealing the hunting ban, according to Environment Secretary Owen Paterson.

He appeared to rule out bringing the issue before the Commons next year. He told a national newspaper: “There’s only a point having a vote if you’re going to win.

“At the moment, it would not be my proposal to bring forward a vote we were going to lose. There needs to be more work done on Members of Parliament.

“It is our clear intention to have a free vote, but we need to choose an appropriate moment.”

The comments emerged as an estimated 300 Boxing Day hunts took place up and down the country – despite the ban on hunting with dogs that was passed under Labour in 2005.

Campaigners say enforcing the restriction wastes police time, and suggest some officers turn a blind eye to breaches of the law.