Fox-hunters in Essex will continue to meet after the sport becomes illegal.
Defiant supporters plan to test out the new ban, which comes into effect on Thursday, by riding out as usual to four major hunts at the weekend.
Organisers claim Saturday's meets at West Hanningfield, High Easter and Wethersfield will not "intentionally" lead to the pursuit of foxes by hounds.
But they plan to go through the motions of an ordinary day's hunting in a bid to keep the tradition alive.
Liz Mort, regional director of the Countryside Alliance, said: "There is nothing to stop people meeting, and nothing to stop them doing certain things.
"We are determined to keep everything together so that it will still be in place when we eventually get this ban overturned."
James Buckle, senior master of the Essex and Suffolk hunt, said the new law would "not make a lot of difference" to followers meeting near Ipswich on Saturday.
Chief Supt Dave Murthwaite, of Colchester police, admitted it would be "difficult" for officers to tell whether hounds and riders were taking part in legal drag hunts - chasing the scent of a dead fox - or breaking the law by pursuing live animals.
Published Wednesday, February 16, 2005
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