THOUSANDS of people turned out for traditional hunt meetings across the Westcountry at the weekend as the Government indicated that its controversial ban could become a key election issue.

Sub-zero temperatures and frozen moorland kept many horses in their stables and meant the number of riders was down in some parts, but there were a bumper number of followers nonetheless.

There was a mood of optimism at many of the Boxing Day meets, with enthusiasts convinced it was the last season when a ban will be in place.

Their feeling of hope came as Gordon Brown was urged by a senior government minister not to turn the General Election campaign into a "hideous" class war with David Cameron. Tessa Jowell, the Cabinet Office Minister, warned that it would be a mistake simply to attack the Old Etonian Tory leader for his privileged background. With a General Election due in the spring, the Conservatives have pledged a free vote for MPs on repealing the 2004 Hunting Act legislation if they win the election.

Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn kicked off a celebrity-endorsed campaign to support the hunting ban. He is supported by, among others, Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart and actor and television presenter Tony Robinson.

At the South Devon Hunt, chairman Valerie Graham said many felt the tide was turning.

"There is a whiff of change in the air because a change of government is likely," she said.

"It would be fair to say that, as far as hunting is concerned, we have gone from strength to strength since the ban was introduced.

"We have always been high-profile and our followers have been increasing. We have always drawn out supporters from a wide spectrum and we have noticed terrific support from all."

Mrs Graham said blossoming numbers of people joining the hunt was a tacit support for the ban to be overturned. "I think people are wanting to be part of an organised hunt and they feel very supportive," she said. "Supporting us is their way of standing up to a ban which they feel is ridiculous."

Normally the South Devon Hunt attracts between 50 and 70 riders, but this year's icy conditions meant the numbers were down because of animal welfare considerations, said Mrs Graham.

The Exmoor Foxhounds met at Kentisbury in Devon, where 400 people gathered.

Exmoor huntsman Tony Wright was the first hunter to be convicted under the Hunting Act, but his sentence was quashed after a three-year legal battle.

He said a repeal of the hunting ban was a popular and vital move.

"It is lovely to have so many people coming out to support us in a remote part of the country like Exmoor," he said. "Only three hunts have been found guilty of illegal hunting, but dozens of huntsmen have been investigated as a result of anti-hunt allegations which puts huge pressure on them and their families.

"It also wastes a huge amount of police time in rural areas which often have very little police cover anyway.

"Repeal is not only justified, but also crucial for communities like ours."

As hunts met around the country at the weekend, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was kicking off a campaign to support the fox-hunting ban. In a sign of how concerned the anti-hunting lobby is about the future of the ban, he is spearheading an awareness-raising drive about the Conservatives' plans.

Urging people to demonstrate their support at backtheban.com, the campaign will be seen as another attempt by Labour to stress the dividing lines between themselves and the Tories ahead of next year's election.

Conservative leader David Cameron has promised a free vote on the repeal of the Hunting Act, saying he believes it "doesn't work" and "doesn't make sense".

However, there is some debate over how a Conservative government would regulate hunting in the event of a repeal of the law, with some suggesting a new regulatory body could be created.

Mr Benn quoted a poll saying three-quarters of the population do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again. But Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said there was "widespread acceptance" that the law had failed.

"The fact that, five years after it was passed, ministers and anti-hunting MPs are desperately trying to defend it speaks volumes," he said. "The momentum for repeal is unstoppable and that simply would not have happened if the law was justified, proportionate and workable."

A poll published by the organisation showed 57 per cent of the population believed the Act was not working.

Animal rights group The International Fund for Animal Welfare warned hunts they must act within the law or face the consequences. Its UK director, Robbie Marsland, said: "We have no problem at all with hunts meeting to enjoy a gallop through the countryside, over Christmas or at any other time, as long as this does not involve wild animals being cruelly chased and killed."