A HELICOPTER from Sky TV hovered over High Street on Boxing Day to shoot footage of the Ledbury Hunt.

A strong rumour that former Home Secretary David Blunkett was among the crowd of spectators has been denied.

"It's a fairy story," Mr Blunkett told the Ledbury Reporter.

The traditional pre-hunt meet outside The Feathers Hotel attracted about 100 riders and around 6,000 spectators, comparable to the most well supported years of the past.

The Sky helicopter was evidence of the media interest in the 200 or so hunts that took place around the UK on Boxing Day, the second Christmas since the national ban on hunting with dogs.

Hunt spokesman Don Haden praised "the tremendous crowd" that saw the riders drain their traditional stirrup cup before setting off.

Young and old alike, including the hunt's youngest rider, Elizabeth Hughes, aged five, enjoyed a day out that lasted from 11am to 4pm. The riders tackled a route that took in Leddington, Bromesberrow and towards Castlemorton, covering a total of about 20 miles.

No foxes were caught, although several were sighted.

Mr Haden said: "The hounds were called off, as soon as we saw them."

The pack followed pre-laid trails and carried a bird of prey, a harris hawk.