ICY conditions on Monday failed to stop a centuries-old tradition of hunt supporters gathering across Somerset and Dorset to celebrate Boxing Day.

But the weather did, for the most part, prevent the practice of the ridden hunt since most of the riders attended without their mounts.

Unable to bring their horses along frozen country lanes, members instead set off on foot with the hounds.

Only about a dozen horses were present at the meet of the Portman in Blandford.

Kennel huntsman Steve Barrow of the South Dorset, which met at the Blue Vinney in Puddletown, said it was the first time in his memory that their traditional meet was without horses.

He said: "I can remember times when we have met on horses and gone on foot, but not when the horses themselves couldn't get here."

The South Dorset meet was attended by two anti-hunt protestors, Sheila Biddlecombe from Dorchester and her brother from Weymouth.

In Chard campaigners greeted the Cotley Hunt with a more vocal protest, with the slogan "hunt bankers, not foxes."

Supporters came out in force too, with 400 people attending the meet of the South and West Wilts in Motcombe, and more than 300 gathered in Beaminster to greet Cattistock master Will Bryers and his whipper-in and hounds.

Mr Bryers said: "Most of our people couldn't get out, but we had a really good crowd and no protesters."

In Castle Cary, the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale met on foot and hunted for several hours, as did the Seavington Hunt, meeting in Crewkerne.

A Seavington member thanked the hundreds of people lining the street for their support.

He told the crowd: "You will be pleased to know that we are hunting within the law.

"However, we remain hopeful that in the next year or two the law will be repealed."