Boxing Day Hunt to set off today (Monday)

Supporters of the hunt in Lambourn will be cracking open the bottles of port later this morning

THE annual Boxing Day Vine and Craven Hunt is set to take place this morning (Monday), with supporters gathering in Lambourn shortly after 11am.

Supporters will be setting off from Windsor House Stables, Crowle Road, to meet the horses and hounds and enjoy a glass of port.

The Hunting Act 2004 banned hunting wild mammals, including foxes, with dogs and since then, participants have had to follow a scent laid out for the hounds, rather than a fox, which is known as drag hunting.

Last year, the event was marred by frozen turf, which meant the horses were unable to join the beagle pack, but this year the milder weather means it is likely to be back to normal.

For more pictures and news from the hunt, pick up a copy of this Thursday's Newbury Weekly News.

Sport of another kind is also taking place today, as Thatcham and Reading will both be in league action.

Thatcham entertain North Leigh at Waterside Park while the Royals welcome Brighton to the Madejski Stadium. Both games kick off at 3pm.