A BOXING Day demonstration by hunt saboteurs at Rivington Barn in a bid to disrupt a meeting of the Holcombe Harriers went ahead without any trouble.

The North West saboteurs are one of several anti-bloodsports groups who were demonstrating at hunt and shoot gatherings around the country on Saturday.

Lancashire police confirmed there was a protest, but said there were no major disturbances and it went ahead quite peacefully. No arrests were made.

Waste

But North West Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesman Dawn Preston criticised police for sending four mounted officers to the Boxing Day demonstration, claiming it was just one in a series of protests since the hunt season opened in November.

She said: "Why the police have suddenly decided to place precious resources here is anyone's guess. It seems to me a waste of public money which could be better spent - especially with Bolton FC playing at home just up the road."

The saboteurs claim the hunters left empty handed at 2pm but urged people to forget the Christmas card image of hunters on horseback in snowy countryside.

Dawn Preston added: "The real truth of any hunt involves a terrifying chase, in which an exhausted and extremely frightened animal often meets its end after being bitten, torn and ripped to shreds - all in the name of a good days sport.

"Although Christmas is viewed as a period for relaxing and spending time with family and friends, we urge people to remember the hunted animal on Boxing Day.

"The vast majority of the UK population wants to see an end to hunting with hounds."

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