FOUR people have been charged in connection with a violent scuffle between hunt stewards and protestors, police revealed tonight.The Essex and Suffolk Hunt at Whatfield, near Sudbury, in February was marred by the incident, which was linked to the second anniversary of the hunting ban.

FOUR people have been charged in connection with a violent scuffle between hunt stewards and protestors, police revealed tonight.

The Essex and Suffolk Hunt at Whatfield, near Sudbury, in February was marred by the incident, which was linked to the second anniversary of the hunting ban.

Five people were originally arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and police said tonight that four - three men and a woman - had been formally charged with the offence.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said they were unable to give details about the people charged but that they were on police bail until they appear at St Edmundsbury Magistrates Court in Bury St Edmunds on May 1.

Police were called to February's hunt at Furneaux Farm, Norton Road, Whatfield, following scuffles involving hunt stewards and protestors.

The incident left a number of people - both stewards and saboteurs - with injuries ranging from black eyes to suspected broken bones.

The hunt marked the second anniversary of the hunting ban, which made hunting with hounds illegal, coming into effect.

Speaking at the time, James Buckle, hunt master of the Essex and Suffolk Hunt, said those involved in the hunt were not aware of events unfurling at the sidelines.

He said: “We had a fantastic day. We were blissfully unaware of what was going on because we were about half a mile away. From what I hear it was just one of those grotty things that happens