Two Kent villages could become flashpoints for clashes between fox hunting groups and protestors on Boxing Day morning.

The traditional gatherings of the East Kent Hunt with West Kent in Elham and Ashford Valley Tickham Hunt at Tenterden are expected to face opposition from animal rights activists.

In previous years there have been ugly confrontations between the groups which have led to arrests.

But the opposing groups are appealing for peace "without any unpleasantness" which has marred previous meets.

The Hunting Act of 2004 outlawed the hunting of wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales. Since then, fox hunting groups have instead engaged in drag hunting where an artificial scent trail is laid for the hounds to follow.

But hunting opponents claim that foxes are still being killed which is why they are continuing to protest at the meets.

East Kent Hunt Saboteurs (Sabs) spokesman Grant Tilman said: "We know trail hunting is a sham, which is why we are keeping up our protests, especially at these high profile meets on Boxing Day. But we will always protest peacefully although our supporters have been attacked in the past.

"We are also fighting the Countryside Alliance's campaign to have the Hunting Act repealed."

The group has put out a call on its Facebook page for supporters to join them at the entrance to the Square in Elham at 10am and in Tenterden High Street.

In 2018, the East Kent Sabs claimed victory after forcing the East Kent Hunt with West Kent to abandon its long held tradition of gathering in Elham village square before setting off into the countryside.

But the huntsmen and women and hounds are still expected to parade down the village High Street where the placard-carrying protestors will be gathered.

East Kent Hunt with West Kent spokesman Nick Onslow insists the hunt abides by the letter of the law.

"We hope the parade through Elham passes off peacefully and without any unpleasantness..."

"We have never been prosecuted for breaching the Hunting Act and we don't hunt foxes," he said.

"But we support the Countryside Alliance's campaign to have the Hunting Act repealed.

"Clearly the government has a lot of other things on its plate right now but we will keep up the pressure.

"But the Boxing Day meets are a great tradition and we hope the parade through Elham passes off peacefully and without any unpleasantness for the benefit of the hundreds who turn out to enjoy it."

The Countryside Alliance says hunt organisers are celebrating ‘a return to normality’ on Boxing Day with more than 200 meets preparing to parade through high streets up and down the UK "as they have done for hundreds of years".

The head of the Alliance’s Campaign for Hunting, Polly Portwin says the meets offer an important day of trade for rural businesses and that trail hunting is part of the fabric of rural life.

But she urged supporters "not to engage" with saboteurs.

"Boxing Day meets bring people together – be it families, friends, neighbours or those within our community who may otherwise be isolated over the festive period," she said.

"Hunts play an important role in rural life and meets offer the public a chance to watch hunts showcase their hounds, horses and trail hunting activities.

"As many meets take place in towns and villages again this year, we are reinforcing the importance of spectators supporting their local, rural businesses which, since Covid and as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, have been suffering."