HUNTSMEN and women from across the region will gather in a defiant gesture against the Government's ban on hunting tomorrow.
The Cheshire Forest Hunt will set out with packs of dogs to mark the start of the new hunting season, along with nearly 300 other hunts across the country.
Last night, Richard de Prez, Master of the Cheshire Forest Hunt, said he expected the ban would "unravel as the season develops".
But anti-hunt campaigners have vowed to keep a close eye on the Cheshire meetings.
Mr de Prez said participants would "endeavour to stay within the law", but admitted the dogs could still find the trails of foxes and set off after them.
He said: "We are going to lay a trail in certain areas, across fields and bridle ways and exercise the hounds.
"There is always a possibility they may pick up a trail of a fox, but the law says we may not have the intention of allowing them to follow it, and it is up to us to stop them."
The Hunting Act became law in February, and remains in place despite appeals by the Countryside Alliance and pro-hunting lobbies.
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