MORE than 10,000 people attended the Countryside Alliance's mass meet at Worcester Lodge, Badminton, on Saturday to pledge their support for hunting.

It was double the number expected, with nationally 37,000 people at similar events throughout the country.

The rally on the Badminton Estate, home of the Beaufort Hunt, was the biggest show of support for the pursuit in the country.

But despite the nationwide protests it has emerged that Prime Minister Tony Blair will reintroduce the Bill to ban hunting with dogs in the Queen's Speech on Wednesday, November 26.

However, there was no talk of defeat as more than 4,500 people signed the hunting declaration at the Badminton meet.

Speakers at the rally included vets, doctors, hunt staff and students, all confirming their support for the sport.

Capt Ian Farquhar, joint master of the Beaufort Hunt, told supporters: "I am incredibly proud to be a part of this pack of hounds. I have enjoyed working with them and to stop this would be a tragedy.

"There is a very, very large section of the community who know the facts and aren't going to put up with it.

"This debate is not just about fox hunting but mink-hunting and beagle hunting. We will stand together and we will win."

Derek Pearce, a North Avon magistrate who has pledged to resign from the bench if hunting is banned, said: "In the past I have marched in London, have written letters to my MP, I have even taken him hunting in the car. I have written to many other MPs. I have lobbied in the House of Commons. They have disregarded me."

The Rev Christopher Mullholland, from Hawkesbury Upton, whose new parish includes Badminton, told the crowds: "One of the most important things about hunting is the community spirit. It brings together people who live quite lonely lives.

"We should not be ashamed of how much fun is involved. It is our right and duty to defend these things."

Kitty Bishop, a 17-year-old A-level student, said: "I will not stop hunting if they impose a ban. We will not accept unjust law or tolerate the prejudice, ignorance and lack of understanding shown by the Government."

A petition signed by 1,000 American hunters was given to the Countryside Alliance by Carla Hawkinson, a follower of the Tennessee Valley Hunt.

She said: "We're here to support the English lifestyle. We love to come here to go hunting. We are here to encourage you to continue the fight for your way of life."

Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, who spoke at the Newbury Rally, said: "Thirty-seven thousand people who would never normally consider breaking the law, and who desperately do not want to have to disobey a potential hunting ban, have made a serious and solemn commitment.

"It is time for those politicians whose prejudiced and unfounded attacks on hunting have led us to this point to question whether they can continue to justify their obsessive pursuit of a ban.

"Civil disobedience is a very serious step, and breaking the law is wrong, but in the case of patently unjust legislation which ignores evidence and principal we believe that someone who has examined their conscience, and is satisfied that what they are doing is not inherently wrong, has a social right to draw attention to injustice by openly breaking the law - provided that is that they meet their obligations to society by submitting themselves to trial and punishment.

"Like them we hope that the Government chooses a more sensible route and that those who have today signed the Hunting Declaration will never have to deliver on their commitment."

Groups against hunting condemned the declaration but were unsurprised by the reaction of the hunts.

Pat Hemming, a smallholder and group member of the Cotswold Support Group for the Abolition of Hunting, said: "The hunts think they are above the law and behave like a bunch of bullies which is the very reason why the CSGAH was formed six years ago.

"The founders of the group were determined to fight back and give a voice to those who feel they aren't able to do the same".

Linda Graham, co-founder of the Cotswold Support Group for the Abolition of Hunting, added: "The public are appalled to see how the hunts react when challenged and the latest MORI poll reveals that 76 percent of people in Britain believe that hunters should not defy a ban.

"This ban will set the standard of behaviour expected of everybody in the countryside and the hunts must accept that there cannot be one set of rules for them and another for the rest of us."