Huntsmen trampled through the graveyard where Winston Churchill is buried leaving a trail of damage in their wake. The Heythrop Hunt also damaged gardens and broke a manhole cover outside a primary school.

Police were called to Bladon yesterday and parish clerk Les Cook was furious because the hunt had not even bothered to tell the parish council they were going to be in the area.

Two riders were seen going into St Martin's churchyard. Hoof marks were left by the former Prime Minister's grave - recently restored at a cost of £380,000 - and deep holes left in the turf.

Village vicar the Rev Roger Humphreys told the Oxford Mail: "I was appalled to hear that horses rode through the churchyard, especially in view of the considerable amount of money and care that has been lavished on it. It showed a lack of courtesy and respect for the residents of Bladon, past and present. I take a very dim view of it." The Heythrop Hunt met late in the morning at Burleigh Lodge in Bladon as part of a regular calendar of meets.

Traffic was held up on the busy A4095 Woodstock to Witney road through the village.

Mr Cook said: "The village is very upset about it all. There is a lot of damage to property, including gardens and fences.

"They came down the main Grove Road and there were cars stacked up, brought to a halt.

"People are upset. Their dogs were all over the place, going through gardens.

"We knew nothing about it. Burleigh Lodge is in our parish. But the hunt did not inform us about it.

"One manhole cover outside the school was broken in half and it was very dangerous. We had to call out Thames Water to make it safe."

Another villager who did not want to be named because he works on the Blenheim estate said: "The arrogant gits. It's disgusting. They have just created havoc.

"How could they end up going through a churchyard? They spent £380,000 on that new tombstone for Sir Winston. Now there's hoof marks all over it."

The Duke of Marlborough, who owns the nearby Blenheim estate, is a member of the hunt. It is not known whether he was out riding with them yesterday. The Blenheim Estate agent Tim Barter was unavailable for comment.

Margaret Blane, of Grove Road, said: "People are up in arms. My husband phoned the police who said they did not know the hunt was in the area.

"It was quite horrifying. We have a high hedge and the hounds came through it into our front garden. It would have been very distressing if they had torn a fox to pieces in view of everyone."

Story date: Saturday 06 February

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