Purton Stoke villagers have told of their fear that coronavirus may be spread when the Vale of the White Horse hunt meets tomorrow morning.

Ann Murphy, 60 is worried about her safety. She said: “They’ve got no consideration, they could come here and spread Covid. It seems like there’s one rule for them and one rule for us.

“People caught it in the village, and we really don’t want it back. I have warned the police, they advised me to maybe have a word with them.”

Hunting is currently exempt from the government’s “rule of six” coronavirus restrictions.

She said: “They are allowed to go ahead and do this, with the potential spread of Covid. I’m really concerned about the Covid issue because I have done nothing but isolate since lockdown, I don’t go anywhere because of it. My husband and I are so careful.”

She added: “I know other people who are upset about it.

“I don’t think the government has actually thought about the hunt because they’ve got other issues to deal with, and I can understand why people protest against lockdown if they are allowed to do it. If people like that carry on, we are never going to control the infection.”

A VWH Hunt spokesperson said:“We are conducting all of our activities in line with government guidance and the advice issued by our governing body, the Masters of Foxhounds Association.

"We can assure anybody with any concerns that our lawful activities are being conducted in a Covid-secure manner with social distancing and other protocols in place at all times, which is in accordance with the legislation regarding any sporting activities that are exempt from the ‘Rule of six’, including local rugby and football.”