London - Fox hunting resumed in earnest yesterday after foot-and-mouth disease brought the sport to a halt for much of the year. Hunts gathered for traditional meets across Britain as a letter from Paul McCartney and other celebrities was delivered to Downing Street. As usual, many hunts faced protests from opponents of field sports and the debate' about if and when the government would ban hunting, continued. The letter urged the Prime Minister, Mr Blair, to allow a free vote when the issue of fox hunting comes before parliament.