DOZENS of people rose early this morning to support the New Year’s Day hunt near Ambleside.

Around 80 people enjoyed bacon sandwiches and mulled wine before the event which set out from the Drunken Duck Inn at Barngates.

They were also treated to music from bagpipe player Rab Fairbairn, before huntsman Michael Nicholson and whip Michael Burton gathered around the fire.

They both sipped a glass of whiskey before the group set off with around 25 hounds.