FOX hunters last night vowed they will be back for next year's Christmas chase. Hundreds turned out for the traditional Boxing Day meet of Flint and Denbigh Hunt yesterday with leaders pledging to carry on. But protesters warned they will step up action. The move comes after the government controversially said it will not oppose a legal challenge over February's hunting-with-hounds ban. The government's decision provoked cheers from hunters but outrage from opponents who accused prime minister Tony Blair of electioneering. A new poll shows the public is firmly behind the February 18 ban being enforced. Yesterday would have been the last legal Boxing Day hunt for many, including the Flint and Denbigh. But the Countryside Alliance's High Court legal challenge could mean hunters continuing until the dispute is resolved. The battle between hunters and protesters may mar next year's general election, expected around May. Meanwhile, senior judge Lord Scott of Foscote added to controversy over the ban by insisting he would never sit in cases brought under the Act, which he deeply opposed. Across the UK, 300,000 were said to be at hunting events, delayed for a day because Boxing Day fell on a Sunday. With meets in Pembrokeshire, Newtown, Brecon and Carmarthen-shire, there was more hunting activity in Wales than any other part of the UK, said a Countryside Alliance spokesman. Other Welsh hunt supporters crossed the border to join members of the 150-strong Cheshire Hunt in Tarporley. The Tarporley Hunt Club, established in 1762, is the oldest hunt club still in existence in the world. In Denbigh hundreds lined the streets to watch the hunt's 115 riders, including youngsters, gallop off. The scenes were repeated at hunts across Britain. Joint hunt master Ricky Proffitt said it demonstrated the depth of support for hunting. And if the challenge fails Mr Prof-fitt pledged the group would assemble again around Boxing Day to "exercise their hounds." Protesters promised to stay away after parliament voted to impose the hunting ban. But the latest moves left the League Against Cruel Sports angry and determined to fight on. Speaking at the hunt yesterday Mr Proffitt said: "We will be back next year. "The legal challenge may go on for some years. So it will be legal to have the hunt again next year. "But whether or not it is legal, we will be here. "At the moment we are very positive that the hunts will remain. The ban is such a farce. The bill is so unworkable. "The turn-out today has been fantastic. One of the best I can remember." North Wales LACS spokeswoman Judi Hewitt said: "We will keep on fighting. We will keep on campaigning. "I will be going door to door to explain to people the cruelty of fox hunting. "I was going to take six months off but because of Tony Blair's weakness we are going to have to carry on. "We hope the courts will throw out at the challenge. We will then work with the police to make sure fox hunting does not happen and anybody who breaks the law is prosecuted." If the challenge is thrown out Flint and Denbigh Hunt area manager Antony Griffith claims it could lead to countryside chaos. Foxes will be illegally shot, snared and poisoned, he claimed. The Boxing Day meet of the Flint and Denbigh Hunt saw a boisterous greeting for the crowd from the hounds - who may yet be returning for next year's event Picture: STACEY ROBERTS Pictures: STACEY ROBERTS and ROBERT PARRY JONES | 
