Wet weather prevented the New Year’s Day hunt in Maldon from taking place for the second year running, but riders still paraded through the town centre.

The annual event, organised by the Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, started from the Boar Hotel, in the town’s Silver Street, on Wednesday morning.

About 60 riders took part in the parade as huntsmen and hounds travelled along High Street and Spital Road, watched by hundreds of residents who lined the streets.

The parade was also met with catcalls from protestors, who held up placards emblazoned with ‘filthy hunt’ and ‘cowards’ and shouted “Shame on you”.

See NEXT week's MBS, out on Thursday January 9, for a full report and picture special.