PONIES and cattle have been released on two open spaces in New Milton for the first time in 50 years.

Six New Forest ponies are now grazing at Barton Common and seven Dexter cattle are at Ballard Water Meadow, in a bid to revitalise the important sites.

The spaces are managed by New Milton Town Council but historically both sites were grazed as part of the wider New Forest area.

Angela Peters, community wildlife officer said: “It is wonderful to see animals grazing these areas again after many years hard work in partnership with New Milton Town Council.

“At Barton Common the ponies will help to keep scrub and grass growth across the whole site under control.

“As a result a more diverse habitat will develop on this site, leading to a greater variety of dragonflies, hoverflies and wetland and heathland plants.

“At Ballard Water Meadow the cattle are already making an impression on the grassland by helping to control the coarser grasses, and are proving to be a more sustainable way of managing the site.”

Geoffrey Blunden, New Milton Town councillor, said: “We hope that everyone will continue to enjoy walking at these local beauty spots.

“While doing so please shut all gates and firmly close them behind you to ensure the cattle and ponies remain within the sites.

“In the unlikely event that any of the animals are found to have become a nuisance they will be removed from site.

“If you notice any problems at either site, or if you are interested in helping the graziers to check the stock and associated infrastructure, please can you contact New Milton Town Council or the New Forest Land Advice Service.”

The grazing schemes in New Milton are part of the town council’s higher level stewardship scheme, which provides financial support to assist with management of their important wildlife sites.