THE traditional Boxing Day hunts in Okehampton and Chagford went ahead amid admissions from the Environment Secretary that the issue of lifting the hunting ban is unlikely to be put to MPs in 2013.

Mid Devon Hunt set off from the Square in Chagford, while Eggesford Hunt set off from Okehampton.

Huntsman for the Mid Devon Hunt Simon Kenny said: 'We had a pretty good day on Boxing Day, though it was horrendously wet. However, we had a hardcore group of people who were out on the hunt until 4pm, and saw it through to the end.

'We hunted within the law, and everyone had a decent day.'

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has appeared to rule out bringing the hunting vote before the Commons in 2013 as it is felt a free vote for MPs on lifting the ban would be defeated. Tory Party chairman Grant Shapps has agreed with Mr Paterson's view.

Mr Kenny said: 'To be honest, I don't think anyone was really expecting the hunt to be something that would be discussed by the Government this year, as they have more important things to be working on at the moment.

'We are hoping that we will get there eventually though. I think part of the problem is the Scottish MPs voting on the English and Welsh ban.'

On Boxing Day, an estimated 300 hunts were held across the country, despite the ban on hunting with dogs. It has been illegal to use dogs to hunt animals in England and Wales since 2005, and in Scotland since 2002.

Pictured: Chagford Hunt moves out from the Square.

Picture by Stuart?Clarke