TALLY HO! Frozen ground forced the annual Boxing Day hunt to head out on foot from Castle Cary this year.

In spite of the absence of horses, hundreds of people gathered around the town's Market House to see off the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt. Spectators enjoyed mulled wine while the hounds wandered around the crowds.

Hunt master Rupert Nuttall thanked visitors for turning up to show their support and said he was optimistic that the coalition government would reconsider the ban on hunting with hounds.