Foxhunters are facing possible arrest as the new season starts.

Huntng with dogs is allowed in England, but owtlawed in Scotland.

Three large Northumberland hunts say they will carry shotguns and follow foxes into Scotland, where they can still be shot.

But they run the risk of breaking Scottish law if they are unable to control their hounds who then attack foxes.

Michael Hedley: Trying to keep within the law

The Border Hunt, College Valley and North Northumberland Hunt and the West Percy Hunt have said they will continue to use dogs - even if it means crossing the Scottish border.

Michael Hedley, master of the Border Hunt, said: "The law in Scotland has been drawn up in such a way that we have to try and shoot the fox before the hounds get to it.

"In a very small enclosed area this is probably very easy to do.

"Our country isn't like that and it is going to be very difficult to cover the area where the fox is going to go.

"We will try our best to remain within the law."

They plan to continue pursuing foxes north of the border but will operate in Scotland as a "gun pack", which will shoot foxes instead of killing them with hounds.

However, the hunt admits there may be times when the dogs get ahead of them and kill the fox - contrary to Scottish law.