HUNT leaders in the East Yorkshire today said support was on the increase as they prepare for the first meet of the season.

The number of riders and supporters was expected to fall away following the controversial ban on hunting with hounds or dogs.

But the ban has raised the profile of the pastime and led to hunts, such as the Holderness, showing they can stick to the law.

Hundreds of horse riders and foot followers will be at the hunt's opening showcase meeting of the season at Rise Park, near Skirlaugh, on Saturday.

Holderness Hunt's professional huntsman David Elliott, who is based at its kennels in Etton, near Beverley, said hunting had become more popular since the ban.

He said: "People see the ban as a threat to the rural way of life and are keen to support us, whether they be riders or foot followers.

"We have definitely seen an increase in both lots of supporters since the ban and we regularly get more than 100 followers on horseback.

"The hunt has had a programme of pre-season early morning hunts to train young hounds, and we have been surprised at how many people attended them."

The legislation bans hunts from setting out with hounds to kill a fox, but they can get round the rules by following a synthetic trail or using two hounds to flush out a fox that can then be shot.

Hunters showing no intent to chase or kill a fox are acting within the controversial law, which they are fighting to get overturned through the Countryside Alliance.

Barry Hugill, of the League Against Cruel Sports, said a recent Mori poll showed 75 per cent of people believed the ban was right and should remain.

He said: "We have no problem with hunts that act within the law, but we will have monitors out watching for those who act illegally."