Hundreds of spectators and animal rights supporters gathered in Grantham, Lincolnshire to watch the annual festive meet of the Boxing Day Belvoir Hunt.

Earlier this month, Grantham Labour Party wrote to Lincolnshire Police opposing the gathering.

The Duke of Rutland's annual hunt was also told it would not receive the traditional welcome from the town's mayor and has now been moved from St Peter's Hill outside the Guildhall to Riverside Pastures.

For at least 130 years the hunt has held its meet in the centre of Grantham, but according to local Labour Party officials, recent criminal behaviour of hunt followers meant there was an increased concern for public safety.

Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK. 26th December 2018: Hundreds of spectators and animal rights supporters congregate in Grantham to watch the annual festive meet of the Boxing Day Belvoir Hunt.

Earlier this month, Grantham Labour Party wrote to Lincolnshire Police opposing the gathering. The Duke of Rutland's annual hunt was also told it would not receive the traditional welcome from the town's mayor and has now been moved from St Peter's Hill outside the Guildhall to Riverside Pastures.

For at least 130 years the hunt has held its meet in the centre of Grantham, but according to the secretary of Grantham Labour Party, John Morgan, recent criminal behaviour of hunt followers meant there was an increased concern for public safety.