Former Home Secretary David Blunkett leaves the Home Office for the last time, after resigning from his cabinet post on December 15, 2004, London

Greyhounds race after a hare at the annual Waterloo Cup hare coursing event, February 24, 2004 near Liverpool. The greyhounds compete in pairs and points are awarded for speed, stamina and agility, at an event which is fiercely condemned by animal rights organisations.

A hunting supporter is restrained by police officers during a violent demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament in London, September 15, 2004. The demonstration took place as Britain's House of Commons was invaded by pro-Hunting supporters, the first time the British Parliament has been interupted in hundreds of years.

Waves batter a train as it passes along the coastal railway line at Dawlish in Devon, October 27, 2004. Severe gales combined with high tides to cause seasonal storms in the South West of England.