Thousands have braved sub zero temperatures to support Boxing Day hunts, as campaigners called for a vote to scrap the Hunting Act.
As hunts met around the country, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was kicking off a campaign to support the fox-hunting ban.
The drive, urging people to demonstrate their support at www.backtheban.com, came as opponents of the 2004 anti-hunt law stepped-up protests on their traditional Boxing Day outings.
Deep snow meant hunting was curtailed in many areas but in Corbridge, Northumberland, crowds packed the village market place to cheer on the Tynedale Hunt.
Joint master of the Tynedale Hunt Frank Houghton- Brown said: "There has to be an election by next spring and this will bring a new Government, I believe, and they (the Tories) have promised a free vote on the future of hunting."
Simon Hart, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, who was with the South Pembrokeshire Hunt and 1000 supporters at the Cresselly Arms, Cresswell Quay, said: "There is now a widespread acceptance that this law has failed and the fact that five years after it was passed Ministers and anti-hunting MPs are desperately trying to defend it speaks volumes."
But animal rights group The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) warned hunts they must act within the law or face the consequences.
Robbie Marsland, UK Director of IFAW, said: "We have no problem at all with hunts meeting to enjoy a gallop through the countryside, over Christmas or at any other time, as long as this does not involve wild animals being cruelly chased and killed.
"The 'traditional' Boxing Day bloodbath, which saw foxes being ripped apart for human entertainment, is now illegal under the Hunting Act 2004. Hunts must remember and abide by this or risk prosecution.
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"Despite many hunt supporters making prophecies of doom regarding loss of jobs, etc, as a result of the ban on hunting with dogs, this has not happened and the majority of the UK public support the ban being upheld. There must be no return to cruelty."
