THE biggest event of the hare coursing season began in defiant mood today as organisers faced the prospect of the sport being banned.

The Waterloo Cup takes place over three days at Altcar, near Liverpool. The event, founded in 1836, will not take place next year if the Hunting Bill becomes law.

Crowds were this morning beginning to gather under clear skies and strong winds on the Altcar estate.

Six-thousand people were expected to attend today and the festival normally attracts around 10,000 to 12,000 spectators.

Sam Butler, chairman of the Countryside Alliance Campaign for Hunting, addressed crowds over a loudspeaker and warned that the Government will face "civil disobedience" if the ban goes ahead.

He said: "What we have always said is that we will make the case for hunting, which we have done through the Burns inquiry and through the consultation process.

"We have also said that our campaigning will not inconvenience the public and will remain peaceful.

"We continue to stand by that, but it would be stupid to think that we are not making contingency plans while we are waiting to see how this Bill turns out.

"Call it disobedience if you like, but we will show this Government that they cannot carry on following their own agenda and ignoring the will of the people."