FARRIERS from across Devon and Cornwall gathered at a celebrated hunt near Falmouth at the weekend.

Record crowds gathered for Saturday's 10th anniversary of the Farriers' Hunt held in and around Constantine.

Supporters said the day went extremely well and the numbers attending showed the resistance to the ban on fox hunting introduced in February 2005.

Ian Hampton, chairman of the Farriers' Hunt supporters' club, said: "This is a day that gives farriers something back for all the hard work they do to keep us going. Without the farriers, we would not be able to operate."

Farriers from throughout the West Country took part in the meet and were joined by other local riders and an estimated 200 people on foot.

The day began with a cooked breakfast at Tucoys Farm before riders followed the previously laid trail around the magnificent countryside.

Mr Hampton said: "We had a very enjoyable day's trail hunting with a fantastic turnout."

The hunting ban has seen considerable opposition in the West Country and Mr Hampton said he felt the hunt had attracted more supporters since the ban was introduced.

He said: "If anything we have got bigger since the ban was brought in because people realise that another tradition is under threat.

"It's vitally important to keep the tradition alive until we get the law repealed."