A FOX hunting group which faced extinction when the pursuit was banned has experienced a boom in support.
Worcestershire Hunt officials said the group was prospering despite the controversial imposition of the Hunting Act 20 months ago.
Joint master John Griffiths said publicity generated by the ban appeared to have made many people in the countryside more determined than ever to support their local hunt.
"We are certainly finding more people coming along," he said.
"The ban has not had the devastating impact on the rural economy that was feared, although we did curtail breeding hounds last year. We have resumed breeding now to a limited extent."
Most hunts in England and Wales have switched to trail-hunting since they are no longer permitted to use dogs to kill foxes.
The system involves hounds following a lure doused in fox urine to flush foxes out, where they are then either shot or killed by birds of prey.
Mr Griffiths spoke as a Countryside Alliance survey showed most of the country's 185 hunts were growing in strength with more hounds, riders and members.
So far, the only successful prosecution under the Hunting Act was a private action brought by the League Against Cruel Sports against an Exmoor farmer who became the first person to be convicted for illegal fox hunting with dogs.
The Countryside Alliance remains committed to campaigning for the Act to be repealed on human rights grounds, arguing the legislation threatened the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Philippa Mayor, of the Campaign for Hunting, said: "Hunting has never been more strongly supported and hunts are continuing in their efforts to inform more people than ever about what hunting is about."
