HUNDREDS of people braved the wintry weather to show their support for local hunts.

Crowds turned out to cheer on hunts right across the Vale and the Cotswolds, despite many of the Boxing Day meets taking place on foot on Monday because of icy conditions.

About 200 people came to Broad Street in Pershore to see the Croome and West Warwickshire hunt walk through the town led by master Tim Allen.

Charlotte Key, chairman of the supporters’ club, said: “It was a really good day. We couldn’t take the horses unfortunately because of the snow but we still met on foot and sang carols.”

More than 150 people came to give their support to the North Cotswold Hunt on foot while Heythrop and Warwickshire hunts also reported good turnouts.

Warwickshire secretary Keith Arnold said: “We were really impressed so many people came and turned out even though there weren’t any horses there. It showed the continued support for what we do in the countryside.”

New Years Day meets for the hunts will take place at Park Farm in Alcester at 11am, the Lygon Arms in Chipping Campden at 10.45am, Stow Square at 10.45am and Todenham Manor near Moreton-in-Marsh at 10.45am, respectively.