Eight masked saboteurs have been arrested for targeting a hunt which has been subject to an “ongoing campaign” of harassment and abuse.

After angry confrontations with hunt supporters seven of the men, most of whom were covering their faces with balaclavas, were arrested for assault and found to have an offensive weapon in their car, it is alleged.

The Cheshire Hunt, which has been forced to hire a security team, has long been the target of abuse and last year was subject to five police investigations sparked by allegations from sabs, all of which were dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Paul Allman, who has been linked to the Stockport Monitors whose members were among those arrested, was also convicted of assault against the master of the hunt last December.

The latest arrests have led to warnings that animal rights "extremists" are now "putting the public at risk".

A spokesman for the Cheshire Hunt said: “Our staff and supporters have been subjected to an ongoing campaign despite the hunt working within the law.

“We’ve had to hire a dedicated security team to ensure the safety of our staff and our supporters, including children, who are taking part in a legal activity.