The riders were greeted by deafening jeers and shouts as they rode into Lewes.

A band of about 40 protesters gathered beneath the White Hart Hotel on High Street booing and waving placards, some with pieces of bloodied fake fur nailed to them.

As more than 60 riders gathered to drink mulled wine and celebrate the hunt, demonstrators chanted: "Hunt scum! Hunt scum!"

But from the other side of the street the clapping and cheering from hundreds of pro-hunt supporters was just as loud.

Yesterday's meet showed the passion on both sides of the hunting debate.

Animal rights activists say the sport is cruel and want it banned.

Hunt supporters say the practice is the most humane way of culling foxes and a natural and traditional part of country life.

The recent government Hunting Bill, put forward to MPs on December 3, has done nothing to resolve the conflicts.

The Bill, which proposes outlawing hare coursing and stag hunting but allowing fox hunting if individual hunts can justify it and satisfy a cruelty test, faces a stormy passage through Parliament.

It was passed by a Commons vote of 368 to 155 but will meet stiffer opposition when it reaches the Lords in the New Year.

The bill has been criticised from many people on both sides who claim it is a fudge.

Carol Jones, a housewife from Angmering, near Littlehampton, and a member of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "I'm very disappointed with the Government.

"They said they would stop hunting but this recent bill is just muddling the issue.

"There should be no compromise where cruelty is concerned. It's either cruel or it's not.

"There are other options, such as drag racing. Then these people could still wear their silly coats and have the social aspect without tormenting animals."

Despite the protests, pro-hunt supporters are adamant this will not be the end.

Dominic Webber, chairman of East Sussex Countryside Alliance, said: "Hunting will continue. A move to licensed hunting could be a positive solution to the disagreement.

"Foxes need to be culled and hunting helps with that. I believe that most humans are predators. It's natural to hunt."

For many hunt supporters the issue goes beyond animal rights. They believe a way of life is in jeopardy.

Chelsea Renton, a sculptor from outside Lewes, said: "It doesn't matter what class people are from, it's a civil liberties issue.

"I've never been on a hunt but I'm here because I believe a way of life is under threat. It's killing off culture and tradition."

Ann Chatterton, 60, has been fox hunting for 50 years and ridden with the Lewes hunt for 40.

As the hunt's secretary, she lives at the kennels near Ringmer and has worked with horses and been involved in hunts all her life. If fox hunting is banned she will lose her livelihood.

She said: "It definitely won't be the last hunt. I love hunting, I've done it all my life and it's part of the country way of life.

"The problem is many of the activists are from towns and don't understand it."

However, yesterday's hunt showed how difficult it can be to place activists and supporters in easy categories.

Middle class housewives stood alongside pensioners and students shouting anti-hunt slogans while Labour supporters, students, farmers and children proved hunting is not a pursuit solely for the upper classes.

Publisher John Stockdale, from Lewes, came to photograph the hunt as he feared it could be the last.

He said: "I'm neutral. I wouldn't choose to go out on a hunt but I also think it's a wonderful spectacle and part of the tradition of the town. The Government won't find an easy solution."