Hundreds of people are all set to take to the countryside in traditional Boxing Day hunts across Shropshire and Powys.

And hunt masters claim they are as popular as ever despite the outlawing of fox hunting with hounds.

The South Shropshire hunt will be leaving New Inn Pub, Hook-a-Gate, near Shrewsbury, for their Boxing Day Hunt at 11am. The hunt members will be following a pre-laid trail.

The hunt’s joint master Edward Foster hopes as many people as possible will attend.

“We are not expecting any trouble. There’s no reason for any because we are not doing anything illegal,” he said.

His fellow joint master Otis Ferry, of Eaton Mascott, hit the headlines when he stormed the House of Commons to protest against the hunting bill.

Pat Webster, chairman of the Albrighton Hunt, said the hunt would go ahead as normal and 40 to 60 people on horses are expected to take part.

Members will meet outside the Royal Victoria Hotel in St Mary’s Street, Newport at about 11am and are expected to be watched by around 1,000 people.

He said it would be up to the huntmaster on the day to decide what form the hunting would take and there may be “one or two” protesters, but they would be “almost lost in the crowd.”

The North Shropshire Hunt will be heading out from the new Shrewsbury Livestock Market at 11am after a gathering at 10.45am.

Joint hunt master Ann Carding said they did not expect any protesters.

The Tanatside Hunt will meet outside the Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, at 11am before moving off up the main street.

One of the hunt’s joint masters Suzanne Huband said: “We are carrying out legal activities within the provisions of the Hunting Act 2004.”

David Jones of the David Davies Hunt, Llandinam, said the hunt will start from Llanidloes at 11am and they would be following a trail.

By Suzanne Roberts