THOUSANDS of people turned out for the Boxing Day hunts across Worcestershire.

Crowds lined the streets of Pershore today for the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt's annual event.

Robin Palmer, joint master of the hunt, said: "I'd say there are several thousand people here today... town people and country people all together.

"The common denominator is country sports. Everyone shows an interest in it with the exception of a few people."

He added that the hunt planned to follow a trail towards Drakes Broughton and the Spetchley area.

Speaking to the crowds in Pershore, Mr Palmer thanked Wychavon District Council for allowing the meet to take place.

Laura Taylor, was at the meet with her two sons, Harry, aged six, and James, three.

James, who was riding his 27-year-old pony, called Beauty, said: "I love hunting. I like to see what the hounds are doing."

Huntsman John Henry, aged 25, from The Lenches, Worcestershire, said the meet gives local people a chance to see the horses and hounds.

Spectator James Smith said that while he did not hunt, he enjoyed going to meets and having a drink.

The event raised money for Midlands Air Ambulance and the hunt's staff.

Thousands also attended the Droitwich and Ledbury meets.

Meanwhile, the Labour party is promising to toughen up the ban on hunting with dogs in England and Wales, saying it will consult on jailing those caught breaking the law.

Ahead of the Boxing Day hunts, shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said jail terms would put penalties on a par with those for other wildlife crimes.

An unlimited fine is currently the most severe punishment available.

The pro-hunting Countryside Alliance says Labour's "obsessive pursuit of hunting... looks increasingly bizarre".

Some 250 packs are expected to meet for traditional Boxing Day hunts, with up to 250,000 people taking part or watching.

Former Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster used a Private Members' Bill back in 1997 to try and ban fox hunting before it was finally voted through in 2000.

His bill came about after he asked Worcester News readers to vote on the issue that mattered most to them.