HUNDREDS of people gathered in Chipping Norton on Monday to support members of the Heythrop Hunt.

Although the winter weather meant there was no actual hunt, hundreds of people gathered in the town centre to enjoy a stirrup cup and show their support.

Alastair Jackson, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, who lives near Chipping Norton, was one of the people who gathered to support the hunt.

He said: “The weather stopped any hunting but there were about 30 members of the hunt in the town centre.

“The town was crammed with people supporting the Heythrop Hunt and the call for the repeal of the Hunting Act, which brought in the hunting ban.”

There were no hunts on Boxing Day this year as hunts traditionally do not meet on a Sunday.