Thousands of people enjoyed the traditional Boxing Day spectacle of huntsmen and hounds dashing through the countryside.

It was the first time in three years that the Fernie, Quorn, Belvoir and Atherstone hunts had been able to ride out on biggest day of the hunting calendar.

The frozen ground which had made it too dangerous for horses on the past two Boxing Days was replaced by mild conditions yesterday.

Matt Jones, 40, and his family – including daughters Holly, nine, and Alice, seven – were among more than 2,000 people gathered at The Green, Great Bowden, near Market Harborough, to watch the Fernie.

He said: "The girls love seeing the horses and riders in all their finery.

"It's a great spectacle and part of a tradition going back hundreds of years. Whatever you think about fox hunting – and I'm somewhere in the middle – it's a wonderful social event for the village."

The hunt saw 50 riders and about 100 people on foot follow the hounds as they pursued a laid scent trail – an alternative to hunting a live fox, which was banned in the Hunting Act seven years ago.

Hunt joint master Chris Parker said: "The weather was much better than previous years and conditions were almost perfect.

"It was great being able to ride out with the hounds on Boxing Day once again to continue that tradition – and for so many people to come out and support us."

There were more than 100 horses and more than 1,000 followers at Prestwold Hall, near Loughborough, for the Quorn Hunt.

Paul Cleminson, 40, of Barrow upon Soar, was there with wife Sue, daughter Aimee, eight, and parents David and Christine, from Uppingham. He said: "It's nice to get out in the fresh air on Boxing Day with the family. My daughter is a member of a pony club so knows many of the youngsters taking part.

"It's not necessarily about killing foxes – just a great countryside tradition. The hunt is part of our heritage."

Yesterday also saw thousands gather in The Square, Market Bosworth, for the Atherstone Hunt, in Oakham for the Cottesmore and in Grantham for the Belvoir.

Alice Barnard, a Melton resident and chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, attended the Quorn, yesterday.

She said: "It is a point of pride for rural communities that, despite the prejudice and ignorance of some, hunting remains as strong as ever.

"This Boxing Day we had a quarter of a million people come out in support of their local hunt."

A poll by the League Against Cruel Sports released yesterday found that more than two-thirds of adults questioned believed the Hunting Act should remain in place.

Charity chief executive Joe Duckworth said: "The figures speak for themselves.

"Poll after poll show that public support and belief in the Hunting Act is overwhelmingly high."

The Coalition Government has said it will organise a free vote in Parliament on whether to repeal the Act.