THE future of hunting in the Westcountry was looking bright as the New Year's Day meets drew in the crowds across the region.

One of Cornwall's oldest hunts attracted a bumper turnout of riders and followers. More than 70 riders, including many youngsters, gathered outside the Silver Ball pub at St Columb Major to join the Four Burrow Hunt.

Joint master Paul Hancock said he was delighted and overwhelmed by the amount of support the hunt received.

"It just keeps getting better," said Mr Hancock. "We had a huge turnout earlier this week and this is a good turnout. I think it shows just how much support there is for hunting.

"The people of England are sick of being told what to do by the Government. It's not just hunting, it's in every walk of life, people are being told to do this or not do that."

Mr Hancock dismissed suggestions from anti-hunt campaigners that the increasing support hunts enjoy is because foxes are no longer the quarry.

He said: "I don't think that has anything to do with it. And I am confident there will be a repeal of the hunting bill.

"It may take a little longer than we want, but I think it will happen."

Karen Jones, her husband Dave and 12-year-old daughter Tegan Brooks, from Redruth, rode out together.

It was an unmissable day of the year, said Mrs Jones. "We had to hire a lorry to get the horses up here and it's probably cost us about £180, but it's worth every penny. It is important to be here as a family.

She said: "Since the hunting ban, people have come out in support of the countryside and the country way of life and what it means to people."

Leading on a handsome grey horse, Mr Hancock thanked the hundreds of supporters and the brass band who braved the chilly morning.

As foxhounds milled around the street and the Stirrup Cup was handed round, the loyal support of the Four Burrow was demonstrated in cash donations, traditionally collected in a riding hat.

With the sound of the hunting horn and a rousing round of applause, the riders set off. For the Burchell-Day family, on holiday from Southampton, it had been a special occasion.

"This is the first time we have ever seen a hunt and it was so much more than I expected," said mother Kim. "I thought it would just be one man in a red coat and a few horses and dogs. But to see this has been really amazing. It's a wonderful old tradition which must not be lost."

In Devon, there was a strong turnout for the Silverton Hunt, which went ahead on foot, the horses staying in the warm.

About 150 people gathered at Gingerland Farm, just outside Cullompton in Mid-Devon, to take part in the annual hunt. Huntmasters decided at about 8.30am that the ground was too icy to take horses out, but many people braved the brisk temperatures to follow the trail with dogs on foot.

There was a convivial atmosphere as chocolates and mulled wine were handed out and the hunters looked forward to an energetic start to 2009.

Robin Knight-Bruce, joint hunt master, said the weather did not seem to have deterred people, although it was the first New Year's Day hunt he could remember when it had been too cold to ride.

He said: "New Year's Day and Boxing Day are the only two days of the year when we always hunt regardless. This Boxing Day I'd never seen so many people, it was unbelievable. There's fantastic support for hunting."

Mr Knight-Bruce said he thought all the press coverage of fox hunting and the issues surrounding the ban in the past 10 years had got more people than ever interested in hunting.

He said: "People who wouldn't normally be interested have decided they had better go along and see for themselves and they've realised it's actually the most inclusive thing you can do – it's not a load of toffs."

Sue Shere, who owns Gingerland Farm with her husband Phil, said it was disappointing not to be able to take the horses out, but that she was looking forward to a good day out.

Deborah Custance-Baker said she and her friends had had their horses ready, but were happy to follow the trail on foot instead. "It'll be fun," she said. "A bit of fresh air to blow the cobwebs away."