LOVE was in the air at the Boxing Day meet of the Hampshire Hunt at The Butts in Alton as whipper-in Mark Langford proposed on Christmas Day to his girlfriend Chloe – and they were celebrating after she said 'yes'.

It was one of the best Boxing Day turnouts, with a field of around 50 horses and riders, among them children on ponies and side-saddle rider Nicola Hudson cutting an elegant figure, attracting a crowd of around 500 people to see them off.

Sadly there was no stirrup cup to warm them on a cold morning before they moved off, led by joint master Peregrine Rowse, to follow a scent trail towards Bentworth.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.