A CHANGE of venue for Carmarthenshire Hunt's Boxing Day event proved a great success, with hundreds turning up to see the traditional spectacle.

The hunt had moved from Meidrim, its home of the past 40 years, to Cross Hands.

Some 25 horses and riders took part in the event, meeting at the Cross Hands Hotel in Llandeilo Road at 10.30am.

Hunt master Michael Watts said the change of venue was due to the closure of the Meidrim pub, the New Inn, which acted as a meeting place.

He said: "We usually meet in Meidrim, it's been going for 40 years now, but the pub has closed down."

Speaking after the Boxing Day hunt, he said: "There hasn't been a hunt at Cross Hands for 40 years; there must have been three to four hundred people there, there were cars everywhere. If it was a better day I'm sure we would have had even more people."

He said the move to Cross Hands was far from a break in tradition, but a chance to bring the event back after decades away, as the former landlord of the hotel, Fred Harris, catered for the hunt 40 years beforehand. "We're on my own land most of the time here, and on other farmers and friends' land," he said.

"It is a positive move."

Hunting has been a contentious issue for many years, with both supporters and protestors.

The 2004 Hunting Act has made it illegal to hunt foxes with dogs, with alternative forms such as drag hunting — where a scent is followed by hounds — being popularised.

There have been many calls for the 2004 Act to be repealed.

Westminster MP Jim Paice, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food with responsibility for hunting recently, said: "The current law simply doesn't work. I personally am in favour of hunting with dogs – and the Coalition Agreement clearly states that we will have a free vote on whether to repeal the Act when there is time in the Parliamentary calendar to do so."

However, Mr Watts felt that, although a repeal would be welcomed, the current situation was working.

"There were no protestors, nothing at all. It's great, we have a chance to hunt and enjoy ourselves, that's what it's all about. The figures haven't changed."

The hunt will also hold its new year event at Carmarthen's Guildhall Square on Monday, January 2, from 10.30am.

It visits Johnstown's old people's homes before travelling to the town's Mansel Arms, the Boar's Head and Guildhall Square.