HUNDREDS of people flocked to The Butts in Alton for the Hampshire Hunt’s traditional Boxing Day meet.

Hounds and riders arrived in the sunshine at around 10.45am, trotting at a smart pace along Whitedown Lane before being welcomed on the green by supporters of all ages.

Accompanied by huntsman William Hudson, they enjoyed a stirrup cup and meet-and-greet session before heading off for the woods around Bentworth Lodge for a drag hunt, expected to include a good variety of jumps which is attractive in particular to the younger riders out on their ponies.

The Hampshire Hunt meet was typical of others across the UK which, according to the Countryside Alliance, attracted at least a quarter of a million spectators to the biggest day of the hunting calendar.