Riders were able to get out for the first time in weeks as they joined in Leicestershire's traditional New Year hunts.

December's extreme bad weather stopped hunt meetings as the frozen ground made it treacherous underfoot for both horses and hounds.

The hunts had last gathered on Boxing Day but had failed to ride out.

On Saturday, the Fernie, Cottesmore and Atherstone were in action to mark the arrival of 2011.

Cottesmore Hunt met in Melton town centre creating a spectacle for onlookers, including the Mayor, Councillor Margaret Moore.

Hunt secretary Clare Bell said: "We had a lovely meeting, with about 60 people on horse and 500 or more on foot.

"The mayor came and it was lovely. We haven't hunted for weeks so we were very pleased to be out. It was nice to get a bit of fresh air."

Hunting with hounds was banned in 2004, so the hunts now follow scent trails.

The coalition Government has said it will put the issue of the ban to a free vote in Parliament.

The Atherstone Hunt, which draws many of its members from the Market Bosworth area, had about 40 people on horseback and an army of about 300 supporters.

Spokeswoman Helen Milner said: "We have had quite a lay-off and a lot of our subscribers haven't been able to get their horses out of the yard because of the icy conditions.

"To have so many people out is marvellous.

"I would say we probably have more support since the ban and we will get the ban repealed."

The Fernie Hunt set off from Peatling Magna, with 135 riders and many other people supporting on foot, by car and even on bicycle.

Scent trails were laid by quad bike and on foot in the early morning and the hunt went on from 11am, only riding home at nightfall.

The Fernie's senior master, Joe Cowen, said it had been a disappointing year because of the weather.

Riders normally meet about twice weekly but had not been able to ride out since early December.

Participants ranged from the young to the retired. Jeremy Kemsley Pein was riding with his daughters Emma 14, and Georgie, 12.

Emma said: "This is my second proper season but I used to come when I was really little on a Shetland pony."

Georgie said: "I just like the excitement."

Fernie committee chairman David Stewart was a spectator.

He said: "I had 45 years and have just retired from the saddle. It feels terrible but the bones are creaking a bit and I think one is better to go early."

The Fernie Master in Charge yesterday, Philip Cowen, said they were covering a vast area between Wistow and Kilby in the east and the M1 in the west, across land in up to 60 different ownerships.

He said support for the sport was growing.