Protesters and supporters turned out in force for the Elham Boxing Day hunt - amid a strong police presence in the village square.

The riders set off without a repeat of the ugly clashes which marred last year’s East Kent with West Street Hunt, when a demonstrator was allegedly punched and kicked.

Both organisers and activists insist yesterday's event was trouble-free.

East Kent Hunt Saboteurs spokesman Grant Tillman says the heightened police and security presence helped to deter any outbreaks of violence.

“There were loads of police there,” he said.

“There was a row of security and a row of police, so the whole thing really started to look like a siege.

“If anyone had attacked anyone else, they would have been swiftly dealt with.”

Dozens of protesters descended on the village to demonstrate against the long-running parade through the centre of Elham.

And despite hundreds of people turning out to watch the riders, Mr Tillman believes the level of support for the meet is falling.

He said: “What was obvious was their support numbers were massively down on previous years.

“I know it was raining, but we have noticed the support get lower and lower and the square was half full – whereas 10 years ago there would have been double the number.”

Thursday’s parade saw a 100-year-old tradition re-established as the meet returned to Elham village square.

The group abandoned the location last year due to a “hostile atmosphere” from anti-hunting demonstrators, and instead invited supporters to the kennels in the village.

Spokesman Nick Onslow says yesterday's event was a success and disputes Mr Tillman’s claims that support for the event has fallen.

“I would say the numbers were the same as we have had in previous years with similar weather,” he explained.

“A lot of local folk don’t like the chanting from the protesters – which can be quite unpleasant at times – so they choose to stay in the High Street.

“What we have seen over the last few years is that the numbers of people in the High Street has increased and that probably takes a few people away from the square.

“Numbers certainly weren’t down. Talking to a number of residents, they were delighted to see us back in the square. It was all in all a successful day, if a little damp.”

Since the introduction of The Hunting Act in 2004, hunting wild animals with dogs has been outlawed.

Meets instead hold ‘drag’ hunts, where an artificial scent is laid for hounds to follow.

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