THOUSANDS of people across Worcestershire turned out for the annual Boxing Day meets of the various hunting groups in the region.

In Droitwich, the Lido car park was packed with riders and residents of all ages, come to see the hunt leave.

Master of fox hounds Adrian Ward said: "We have got a lot of support here today - even from people who are not generally horse people.

"It is such a tradition and we have got so much support here even with the weather forecast not being great.

"There are so many people here of all walks of life, more than 250 here and thousands more across the country today.

"Even if they show their support for just one day a year we are really grateful for that."

As the riders prepared to set out, Mr Ward addressed the crowd, saying: "On behalf of the Worcestershire Hunt and the wider hunt community, thank you.

"I say it every year, but if you keep coming, we'll keep coming."

The roads in Droitwich were closed off as the riders and their hounds set off, with hundreds of residents lining the streets to watch them go.

There was even a special visitor as Father Christmas arrived, handing out drinks and presents to the riders and their families.

Elsewhere in the region, the Ledbury Hunt was also well attended, with the centre of the town being packed with horses and hounds marking the new tradition of trail fox-hunting in the area.

Crowds of around 1,000 people attended, showing their support for the event, which has now taken place in the town for more than hundred years.

Taking part were approximately thirty members mounted on their horses.

David Redvers, the senior Joint Master of the Ledbury Hunt, spoke to the assembled crowd welcoming everyone present and pointing out that the tradition of the Hunt meeting in Ledbury on Boxing Day could be traced back for more than 173 years.

He said: "The Hunt and its members are very much a part of the local community. Everyone is welcome to take part whatever their background or standing in society."

The hounds were then taken to Leddington, and the area around Dymock where they found and hunted scent trails that had been laid earlier.