On horseback and in traditional red tunics, the Sussex foxhunting fraternity turned out in force to mark the beginning of the season.

This year began a week late for the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt, who met at Windmill Hill, near Herstmonceux, on Saturday - last week they travelled to Tonbridge to sign a declaration organised by the Countryside Alliance, vowing to continue hunting if MPs ban it.

Ninety-one horses were joined by 200 supporters and 36 hounds for the first meet.

Hunt secretary Roe Cooke said: "We've been saying this may be our last season for years now but we're still here.

"We have never had so many people out hunting as we have at the moment."

No trouble was reported between hunters and saboteurs and four foxes were killed.