About 30 followers, many in red waistcoats and green knickerbockers, gathered yesterday to mark the last official hare hunt.

The Airedale Beagles chose to have their final meeting at Keighley Gate, on Rombalds Moor, where the hunt had first started 113 years ago.

From today, hare is protected from being hunted by a dog pack under the 2004 Hunting Act.

In future the pack of 50 hounds kennelled at Crag Top Farm, Light Bank Lane, Silsden, will be chasing rabbit.

"This is a very emotional time. The end of a tradition which has gone on a long time," said retired managing director Jim Boddy, 67, of Ilkley.

A follower of Airedale Beagles since 1956, he gathered to enjoy a tot of whisky or a noggin of port, before setting off behind the hounds.

He had just heard huntmaster Bryan Robinson, mark the occasion with a sombre valediction, but pledge to continue the tradition of hunting.

As followers sheltered from the rain behind a drystone wall he said: "Airedale Beagles has met at this place for more than 100 years and the long term well being of the hare has not suffered.

"We must cease hunting hare. Airedale Beagles have had their day you might think. No. They will continue and we will follow with pride in the footsteps of those who went before us."

Mr Robinson led the hounds out on to the moor for a hunt which lasted about four hours.

Among the followers was Joe Paisley, a farmer from Ilkley, who was master for 30 years.

"The law is diabolical. It won't save the life of one hare or fox. All it will mean is that others will go out and kill them who don't have the strict code of conduct that we have."

And 77-year-old Trevor Masters, of Summerbridge, who has been beagling for 60 years said: "Hunting rabbits will not be the same. The hare is a clever animal and we come to see the hounds working not the kill."

Ron Harding, from Oxenhope, a retired textile company director, said: "I like the people, I enjoy the outdoor life and I like to see the animals," he said.

The hare hunting season starts at the beginning of September and runs until the end of February. Airedale Beagles take about 30 hares a season and hunt twice a week.

Rabbits are exempt under the act on the basis that they suffer less cruel deaths.

Airedale Beagles will be meeting again on Saturday, the first day of hunting rabbit.

The Pendle Forest Hunt will be holding its first hunt trail on Saturday, setting off from Coniston Hall, Coniston Cold near Skipton, mid morning.

About 100 people are expected to gather to see a demonstration of the legal technique involving dragging the scent of a fox for the dogs to follow.