THE Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt can trace its roots back to the time of King James I, who granted it its royal livery of red jackets. But ten years ago it faced a major upheaval with the introduction of new legislation, which banned fox hunting. Here, we look back at how the change was greeted in Craven.

EMOTIONS ran high as Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt held its final day of fox hunting in February, 2005.

Many riders including master of the hounds Tom Bannister found it hard to contain their emotions as final preparations were made for the last hunt before legislation banning hunting with dogs came into force.

The Herald said that Mr Bannister fought back the tears as he vowed the group would continue to hunt within the law.

"I'm terribly upset," he said, adding that it was particularly hard for the hounds. "They don't know if they have done something wrong."

Before embarking on the final hunt, his father and senior master of the hounds Michael Bannister addressed the gathered crowd at Old Gledstone, West Marton.

He told them to remember the happy times on this "sad and very difficult day" and described the changes in legislation as a challenge.

"We have never seen such a challenge as the present time and one we are going to succeed and win through," he added.

He called upon those present to work together at the next general election to see if a change of government would result in a change to the law. "We will fight to make sure that eventually this bill will be repealed," he added.

Mr Bannister Snr added: "I think it's one of the saddest days when you consider hounds have hunted this country for the last 250 to 300 years."

Hunt secretary for the past 17 seasons, Howard Pighills, said that he was very sad to see the end of hunting as it had been known for more than 250 years.

"It's a great shame that we are having to stop. It is a very unnecessary law because hounds and foxes will continue to be killed and trapped."

Mr Pighills said that in future the group would be drag hunting where a scent is laid for the hounds to follow. However he said that this was like "kissing your sister" because it did not have the same "bite" as traditional hunting.

"We will hunt within the law and hope that the act is repealed," he said.

However, ten years on, the law still exists and hunts continue to meet, with numbers turning out to support events reportedly as high as ever.

Here, in Craven, just a week after the new legislation was introduced, 100 riders and 200 followers gathered at Coniston Hall to mark the dawning of the new era.

Well wrapped up in red, black and white hunting gear against the chill, Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt members followed an artificial trail, which had been laid earlier in the day to simulate the wily ways of a running fox.

For many, it was a new experience.

But, most agreed the law was "stupid", but it was not one they were not going to break.

John Deberry, of Gargrave, said: "This is not like the real thing - it is a big change. I think the novelty will wear off."

Braving the cold was foot follower 66-year-old Marian Stansfield, of Barnoldswick, said: "The act is unworkable, but we are sticking to the law. We hope it will be repealed."

And Bert Gooding, who had travelled from Bacup, said: "It's a very bad law. The police will find it difficult to enforce."

His comments echoed those of joint hunt master Nick Bannister, of Coniston Hall, who addressed the hunt from a specially erected platform. He told them to obey the law, but to fight for its repeal.

"This act is a bad piece of legislation. It is unconstitutional, prejudiced and will not stand the test of time. This is class warfare, not animal welfare, and that's why we will not stop in our fight to repeal the act, " he said.

The last message came from Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans. He said: "This is the most stupid law I have seen passed in the 12 years I have been in Parliament."

When the Tories gained power, it would be repealed, he pledged.

And with his words in their ears and to the blast of the huntsman's horn, the hunt set off on it first trail.