Annual Boxing Day hunts convene across Northern Ireland and Great Britain amid moves to outlaw the practice

Hunts were scheduled to take place in south Tyrone, the Banbridge area, and in Seaforde in east Co Down, as well as countless other locations across the UK.

They came this year amid increasing drives to outlaw the practice, both in Northern Ireland and the mainland UK.

Donna Quail, Joint master of the East Down Hunt, said their hunt, involving live foxes, was made up of around 50 mounted riders with perhaps 300 to 400 followers and supporters, and would last about two to three hours.

Their Boxing Day hunt has been going on for over 60 years, she said, and asked about its importance, she replied simply: “Tradition.”

Hunt chairman James Armstrong said: “It brings the community together.

“We're in the local farmers' hall in Seaforde.

“There are refreshments. I've just seen a six-month-old baby [alongside] people up to in their late 80s and 90s.

“They're all able to come out after Christmas Day, have a sandwich and see others from the community.”

It comes as moves are afoot, led by the Alliance Party, to ban fox hunting in Northern Ireland (the only part of the UK where it remains legal).

Mr Armstrong told the News Letter: “I think really it's a countryside matter.

“The farmers are prepared to allow the hunts access, and the farmers benefit from the service the hunt provides.

“While sheep farmers who suffer from fox devastation are prepared to open their gates and allow people on to their land, one would've thought it will continue.

“It's the farming community that would have the power to stop it, if they wanted.

“If there was a growing majority not prepared to grant access, hunts couldn't exist.”

Meanwhile, there are also moves by Labour to ban trail hunting in GB (the non-lethal alternative to fox hunting – which activists say is often used as cover for live fox hunts).

Hunt supporters yesterday vowed to fight Sir Keir Starmer’s plan as they gathered across England.

One of the largest meetings took place on the Duke of Beaufort’s estate near Badminton, Gloucestershire, where thousands watched to see dozens of horses and foxhounds go trail hunting.

Will Bryer, joint master of the Duke of Beaufort Hunt, said the countryside was “under assault and siege”, and said the government would have a “fight” on its hands – warning it would get “messy”.

“I just wonder whether our government would have made that announcement had they predicted a turnout like this,” Mr Bryer said addressing the large crowd.

“It is somewhat ironic, is it not, that the government choose to announce their intentions to destroy trail hunting just at a time of year when we reaffirm our beliefs.

“So, we’re under assault, we’re under siege and like all fights it’s going to get messy. But we must, we must stand united.

“So, because of my age, I’m going to say take the words from that 1980s super-ballad, take the words from Journey’s song, ‘Don’t Stop Believing’.

“Hunting has a future, hunting will endure.”