BOXING Day hunts will not go ahead in Herefordshire this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, groups across the region have confirmed.

Herefordshire's towns are used to road closures on December 26 while local hunts meet in town centres, as has been tradition, but this year guidance from the Countryside Alliance has said they should not go ahead.

The Golden Valley Hunt, which meets in Hay-on-Wye; Kington's Radnor and West Herefordshire, and Ledbury Hunt, all said their meets would not go ahead as usual this year.

Hunts remain legal over the festive period providing a scent trail is used and they are Covid-secure, including completed risk assessments and social distancing measures being in place.

Ledbury Hunt, which traditionally attracts large crowds to the Ledbury Town Centre, has also cancelled its Boxing Day meet for 2020.

Ledbury Hunt secretary, Helen Smith said: "Due to the impact of the coronavirus, the Ledbury Hunt will not be holding its usual annual Boxing Day meet in the centre of Ledbury this year. We are disappointed that the meet will not go ahead but very much look forward to welcoming the usual large numbers of supporters in 2021.

"The Ledbury Hunt have taken this very unusual step - we have been meeting in the middle of the town for over 150 years - in order to prevent any potential breach of legislation regarding large gatherings and also to ensure the wellbeing of the local community who are so supportive each and every year."

As in other towns, the Ledbury gathering usually attracts scores of riders gathering outside the half-timbered coaching inn, The Feathers.

Many of the adult riders enjoy punch from stirrup cups - so called because they are vessels meant to be drained from the saddle.

The Golden Valley Hunt meets across the Welsh border Hay-on-Wye, but this year the event will not be going ahead as the country is currently in its Tier 4, which is a lockdown.

Chairman of the hunt Derek Hall said: "We're in lockdown so there's nothing happening until restrictions are lifted.

"Nothing at all [is happening], we've got to follow the rules and that's the way it is."

It's a similar situation for the meet in Kington, organised by the Radnor and West Herefordshire Hunt.

A spokesperson said: "The guys who run hunting are saying not to meet Boxing Day or Christmas Day as it attracts huge crowds, and indeed New Year's Day.

"Nothing is happening on those days as far as the Radnor and West is concerned, and that's probably the way of it around the country.

"We are aiming to be socially responsible when hunting. Trail hunting is so popular, Kington is absolutely rammed on Boxing Day with people.

"Whatever you reckon to Covid-19, it's not going to be helpful having people piling into Kington on Boxing Day so sadly no game."