DEFIANT hunt supporters have shown no sign of giving up fighting the ban on hunting with hounds.

On the first Saturday after the ban came into force more than 300 mounted followers and around 3,000 supporters on foot gathered for the Beaufort Hunt meet at Worcester Lodge, Badminton.

Among those gathered were Capt Mark Phillips, Countryside Alliance chief executive Simon Hart and Labour MP for Vauxhall Kate Hoey.

The former Sports Minister, who voted against a ban on hunting, told the crowd: "This is an unjust law.

"I feel only sadness that my government has allowed this ban to go through. This law is unenforcable and unjust and I have confidence in my country that an unjust law cannot last very long.

"Today is the beginning of the end of a ban on hunting. We will prevail and this law will have to be overturned."

Joint Master of the Beaufort Hunt Capt Ian Farquhar said: "It was Churchill who said 'we must keep buggering on'. I intend to keep buggering on and I hope you will stay with me while we keep buggering on."

The League Against Cruel Sports fielded 100 hunt monitors across the country to report suspected breeches of the law.

Chairman John Cooper said: "The hunting ban is a massive leap forwards to the creation of a decent and humane society. Our children and grand children will grow up into a better and kinder world as a result of the hunting ban."

Police presence was muted at the Beaufort meet but police in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire are prepared to enforce the ban.

Chief Insp David Peake, of the Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: "We have prepared a policy for dealing with unlawful hunting and it outlines our approach for enforcing the ban. Illegal hunting will be treated as a wildlife crime and we will enforce the new law.

"We encourage people to contact the police if they see an illegal hunt taking place, however, it is imperative that people do not jump to conclusions.

"If people in Gloucestershire see hounds and people on horseback, it does not necessarily mean an offence is being committed."

Avon and Somerset Constabulary's assistant chief constable Rod Hansen said: "Throughout Saturday officers from across the force attended a number of events, which passed peacefully.

"In the coming weeks and months we hope to build upon our already strong links in the countryside by continuing to consult with those on both sides of the hunting debate in order to effectively police this new legislation."