ICY conditions led to the cancellation of the East Kent Hunt which was due to leave from Elham on bank holiday Monday.

Held on Monday instead of the traditional Boxing Day, organisers decided it was too dangerous for the horses to go out.

Some hunt members, dressed in their red coats, along with some of the hounds, gathered in the village square as normal but without any horses which were not taken out because of the icy conditions.

Spokesman Nick Onslow said: “After some of the members met in the square the hounds were taken back up to their kennels. A few hundred people turned out to watch the meet but it was just too dangerous to take the horses out.”

See Thursday's Gazette for full report and pictures.