SIR - I have read with interest your articles and letters about foxhunting. I decided to form my own opinion by going to watch the Beaufort Hunt meeting in Chipping Sodbury and then follow on in my car.

I stopped in a lane near Little Sodbury and had a good view of the fields below. Three deer ran across a field, the hounds were sniffing around the hedgerows and the huntsmen were standing still - it was a traditional countryside scene.

There were half a dozen cars parked by mine, mainly driven by pensioners who had obviously been following the hunt for years on a regular basis. These people were a friendly bunch, explaining what was going on. Further on along the road there were more of these friendly old people.

These are the people whose lives will be affected by the hunting ban. This is their hobby, something they have done for years, meeting up with their pals, helping the hunters by opening and shutting gates. Who are we to take this away from them? They fought for our freedom and we are taking theirs away.

Unfortunately I believe the argument against hunting has got out of hand. It has become about class.

As I understand it, when men with guns are sent out to shoot foxes they will become extinct. I did not see one fox killed the day I followed the hounds.

Sarah Thomas Glenfall Yate