Hunt supporters claim that a repeal of the Hunting Act is now inevitable.

Countryside Alliance member and spokesman for the East Kent Hunt, Nick Onslow, was speaking after hundreds of people attended the Boxing Day meet in Elham.

“At most there will be one more Boxing Day hunt before the nonsense of the Hunting Act is repealed and we will once again hunt foxes, not man-made trails,” he said.

Mr Onslow said that more foxes were actually being killed since the Act came into force, but not necessarily humanely.

He added: “We have resolved to maintain the structure of the hunt until the Act is repealed. Across the country thousands of people turned out to enjoy the spectacle and to send the Government a clear message – your Act of spite is doomed and appeal is inevitable.

“David Cameron says he will give the House of Commons a free vote if the Tories are elected and the Countryside Alliance will back those MPs who support us in their manifestos.”

Around 50 riders rode out with the huntsmen and hounds who followed a fox-scented trail.