FOX hunting has long been popular in West Wales but in recent years — before and after the ban — it has been a topic which has divided the county.

Some farmers and many of those who make their living in the countryside thought it was wrong to ban fox hunting.

For them it was a country tradition going back hundreds of years and a good way of exterminating the foxes who damaged their property and killed their livestock. It also provided employment.

Others — many country dwellers themselves, saw the activity as exceptionally cruel and barbaric, an outmoded tradition which had to be banned. The ban in 2004 brought fox hunting to an end, but the hunts still continue in a modified form, such as drag hunting.

Indeed, many people like to turn out to see the hunts set off from locations such as Carmarthen's Guildhall Square, Llandeilo, Llandovery and Cardigan.

It is quite a spectacle with the hunters splendidly dressed in red on their horses, champing at the bit to get going. People love to see the dogs too.

There are nowhere near the crowds there used to be turning out to see the hunts, but it is still a popular way of bringing people together.