Visitors to the New Forest are being warned that a new ban on feeding or petting animals is to come into place on Saturday - with fines of up to £1,000 for rule breakers.

New measures under the Public Space Protection Order ban people from lighting fires or having BBQs in the New Forest.

Fines will also be given to those who drop cigarettes - or anything else that could spark a fire.

The order comes after a public consultation took place in December last year, regarding the proposed PSPOs.

READ MORE: New Forest: Fines for petting ponies and lighting barbecues

This was supported by Forestry England and the New Forest National Park Authority. The consultation won a 90 per cent agreement rate.

Tackling anti-social behaviour and preventing animal distress are at the heart of the new rules.

Feeding or petting animals has been labelled as ‘detrimental’ to animal welfare, causing increased biting and kicking from ponies and donkeys.

The new rules aim to discourage animals from approaching visitors in the New Forest.

The order aims to reduce animal-related road accidents, which have continued to fall over recent years.

Increased numbers of signs have been put up across the New Forest roads, in hopes of increasing awareness of roaming animals, particularly at night time.

The new Public Space Protection Order should tackle the issue further.

Cllr Dan Poole, New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for community, safety and wellbeing, has previously said: “Most people enjoying the Forest do so with great care and regard for the New Forest Code.

"By making these PSPOs, we expect a reduction in the rare but damaging cases of anti-social behaviour associated with wildfires and barbecues on the Forest, and the feeding and petting of Forest animals.”

The new order will be present in the New Forest Code - a list of do’s and don'ts for those visiting the New Forest.

Current rules include no littering, keeping dogs under control and a ban on wild camping.

Heightened risk of wildfires in the New Forest are also being controlled by the ban on BBQs and fires.