Twelve ramblers who were wrongfully arrested as suspected hunt protesters while feeding ducks have each received �2,000 compensation from Dyfed-Powys Police.

The force was accused of wrongful arrest and imprisonment after the incident at a lake near Crickhowell village, Abergavenny, and confirmed on Tuesday a settlement had been reached.

Dyfed-Powys Police settled out of court

The walkers were on a country outing on 1 May 1999 when they stopped to feed ducks and swans at the lake.

But police officers in a patrol car near a country hunt arrested the walkers to "prevent a breach of the peace".

They were driven to Brecon Police Station where they were held for almost five-and-a-half hours.

One of the walkers, Paul Stone, of Newport, said the group had been approached by the patrol car and the walkers were told by officers to get back into their minibus.

I hope the outcome of this case serves as a lesson to the police

Paul Stone, walker

"We couldn't believe we were being arrested because we thought feeding ducks was lawful," said Mr Stone.

"It was only after we were arrested that we were told that there was a hunt nearby and that our arrest was to ensure that the hunt passed off peacefully.

"The fact that a group of friends could not enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the country without being falsely arrested was shocking.

"I hope the outcome of this case serves as a lesson to the police," he added.

'More restraint'

Last year, Dyfed-Powys Police settled with seven people falsely arrested near the Sennybridge Hunt, paying them �3,000 each in compensation.

The group's legal representative, Iftikhar Manzoor, of solicitors Irwin Mitchell said Dyfed-Powys Police was "keen to arrest people if there is a hunt nearby".

"This is...regardless of the fact that those arrested are miles from the hunt and not at all involved in any protest.

"Dyfed-Powys Police must show more restraint when deciding who to arrest and for what reasons. If people cannot feed ducks without fear of arrest then there is something very wrong."