Ever-controversial hunts are set to face stiff opposition from protesters today.

Boxing Day hunts will be taking place in the traditional locations of Tenterden and Elham - with both routes being set up in advance.

Activists have announced they will be targeting the East Kent with West Street meet, and the Ashford Valley Tickham event.

Today, riders will be directing beagles into Elham square at 11am - a year after they were forced out by activists amid safety concerns.

Instead, supporters were invited up to the hunt kennels at the top of Cullens Hill, where security was in place to ensure protestors could not access the premises.

Last year, a demonstrator in Elham was allegedly thrown in front of a passing car before being punched and kicked.

And in Tenterden, a 19-year-old woman was reportedly attacked and a band had its equipment destroyed.

Earlier this year, a 8,000-signature online petition was sent to Folkestone and Hythe District Council and Kent Police, urging the authorities to ban the festive gatherings.

Several councils across the country have already acted to ban hunt meets on public land, including in Tetbury in Gloucestershire and Newark in Nottinghamshire.

Since the introduction of The Hunting Act in 2004, hunting wild animals with dogs has been outlawed. Hunts now hold ‘drag’ hunts, where an artificial scent is laid for hounds to follow.

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