WHILE the hounds gambolled through the streets of Nether Stowey, the horses marched with the huntsmen and women for the West Somerset Vale Hunt on Boxing Day.

Crowds lined the streets near the clock tower to watch 25 riders parading through the streets before entering the woods at Nether Stowey and following an artificial scent trail to Stogursey.

Master huntsman Austin James led the hunt with fieldmaster Denis Kenny and jointmasters Deborah Cossey and Karen Turner.

Ms Cossey said: "The ground conditions were variable because of the strange weather the days before, but everyone enjoyed themselves. We didn't manage to go trailing on Christmas Eve because the ground was too hard for the horses' hooves and for the hounds' feet, so it's good that we managed to make it out on Boxing Day.

"It was well supported by locals who might not usually follow the hunt but follow it on Boxing Day just because of the traditional aspect."