The main pro-hunting lobby group, the Countryside Alliance, believes the ban prompted many people to protest.

"Throughout the rural community and in many urban areas as well, there is a feeling that there is a great crime that has been done," said the Alliance's Tim Bonnar.

"By going to support their local hunt they are helping to support them through a very difficult time."

Bonnar said some 50,000 people would normally gather to hunt and they expect extra support on Saturday.

Patrick Webster, chairman of the Albrighton Hunt in central England, told Reuters they had received strong support.

"On Boxing Day we have our traditional meet in Newport which is a market town and when the hounds trotted into the main street a cheer went up that would have embarrassed Manchester United," he said.

"It was unbelievable. This government has got it so very wrong."

Under rules that came into force on Feb. 18, 2005, hunts are exempt from the ban if they drag - follow an artificial scent rather than a fox - flush mammals to guns with no more than two hounds or chase rabbits or mice.

"Accidental" kills are also exempt as is flushing an animal to a bird of prey.

Police have not brought any prosecutions since the ban was introduced although one private case has been brought by the League against Cruel Sports.

Many hunters say galloping down a pre-laid scented trail is no match for the thrill of chasing a real fox. But they have made the best of the situation.

The Countryside Alliance said the community was holding itself together until the ban was repealed.

Webster called the new law temporary.

"It's a bad law and bad laws don't last the test of time," he said.

Parliament voted to ban the sport after years of debate, which raised passions on both sides.

The government has said it is happy with the ban but anti-hunt campaigners have expressed concerns that some hunters openly flout the law.

The League against Cruel Sports has sent the names of 33 hunts accused of repeatedly breaching the Hunting Act to the police in England and Wales.

"We are delighted that many hunts have changed their practices in order to obey the law and that, one year on, the much anticipated collapse of the rural economy, along with the mass slaughter of horses and hounds, has not occurred," said the League against Cruel Sports.