CROWDS of more than 500 are forecast to watch the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt's Boxing Day meet at Gargrave.

Countryside Alliance spokesman James Bates told the Herald: "Last year there were around 500 people there to see the hunt gather on the Green at Gargrave and we are expecting that number and more this year. We are not expecting any trouble."

The hunt moves off at 11am.

The Pendle Forest and Craven is one of more than 30 hunts across Yorkshire which will keep the tradition of a Boxing Day meet.

Mr Bates said the alliance was confident that foxhunting would be around for many years to come.

"It was not mentioned in the Queen's Speech, we don't think there will be a Private Member's Bill introduced and the only other option open to the Government would be reintroduce the original bill which was thrown out by the Lords," said Mr Bates.