HUNTSMEN and their hounds rode through a market town – more than seven decades after they last met there.

Hundreds of well-wishers turned out in Market Place, Uttoxeter, on New Year's Day to welcome members of the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt.

It is believed the gathering was the first Uttoxeter has seen since 1936. Families were able to get close to the horses and hounds before the huntsmen embarked on a 10-mile jaunt around neighbouring countryside.

Joint-master of the hunt Richard Parrott, from Rugeley, said: "We are really pleased with the turnout and we are very appreciative that so many people have come to see us. We chose New Year's Day as many shops are closed and we have not caused anyone any inconvenience."

After a change in legislation banned fox-hunting in 2004, participants now follow a scented trail, without hunting any animals.

But, despite the change in law, Richard says membership of the hunt has not been affected and he remains hopeful the new Government will review the rules.

He said: "Our membership has been stable and numbers have gone up rather than down. We would love for the hunting ban to be repealed.

"It's a poor piece of legislation and doesn't really address the issue."

Stephen Clark, from Derby, chairman of the group's finance committee, said: "It's a real privilege to be involved in the hunt and to have had such a brilliant turnout."

Local farmers opened the gates to their land to allow the hunt to travel across acres of surrounding countryside.

Councillor David Brookes, Uttoxeter Mayor, said: "We think the last hunt to gather in Uttoxeter was before World War Two.

"We know it happened in 1936 and there is no evidence that one has happened since then.

"The hunt has wanted to come to the town for a while and had planned to come before, but the weather stopped it happening.

"This is an event that happens in rural market towns in the country. I have been to places where it has taken place and we wanted to see it here in Uttoxeter."

The history of the Hunt can be traced back to 1793. It's kennels are in Sudbury.

Among the crowd on Saturday was grandmother-of-seven Vida Parker, who remembers the hunt being in Uttoxeter.

The 86-year-old, from Uttoxeter, said: "It's brought back a lot of memories seeing them here.

"I used to watch them as they ran through the fields. It was an impressive sight."

The mother-of-five added: "It's lovely to see them back in the town."

Irene Chilton, aged 59, also from Uttoxeter, said: "It's wonderful for the families to see them here again."