Hunters took to the North's countryside for what could be their last legal traditional New Year gallop.

Although hunting with hounds is to be banned from February, Alnwick's Percy Hunt saw hundreds of huntsmen and women ride out on January 1 in support of the bloodsport.

And there was a message of defiance from organisers who warned Prime Minister Tony Blair that they will be back next year.

The hunt set off from Alnwick Castle after a few Percy Specials, a mix of whisky and brandy, and were determined to show the Government that the North is behind their local hunt.

Hunt secretary Emma Howie last night said: "We had a very good hunt. We set off from the barbican at Alnwick Castle with between 50 and 60 people on horseback and several hundred following on foot.

"We all got a bit wet later on in the day when it began to rain heavily, but there was an excellent atmosphere.

"It was great to see so many people come out who are not connected to hunting and I think it sent a very positive message to the Government about the community's support for the sport."

A League Against Cruel Sports spokesman last night said: "We are not surprised a lot of people turned up for the Percy Hunt. But there is no indication they were there in support of hunting.

"They were more likely there to witness the hunt passing into history as this will probably be the last New Year's Day hunt once hunting is banned in February."

Huntsmen from the West Percy Hunt met at the Rose and Thistle pub in Alwinton in the Coquet Valley and raised £1,100 for victims of the Asian disaster.

Warehouse owner Charles Bucknall, of Embleton, Northumberland, oversees the Percy Hunt Pony Club.

He said: "Blair would like this to be the last traditional New Year hunt, but we doubt if he will get his wish."

Percy Hunt joint master Michael Hutchinson said: "We now have more riders and onlookers than for a very long time and that, I believe, shows the strength of feeling in the countryside."

The sport will be outlawed from February 18 after the Parliament Act was used to force through a ban.

But it was revealed last week that the Government would not oppose an injunction application by the Countryside Alliance while it pursues legal challenges to the legislation, which could put the start of the ban back by months.

The Countryside Alliance said large numbers were reported at hunts all over the region over the festive period.