GREEDY New Forest ponies have been getting into tents at campsites to eat food.

New Forest Commoners' Defence Association spokesman Michael Cooper told the Court of Verderers most incidents could be avoided if advice was posted at site entrances.

He said wardens should be trained and take responsibility both for campers and the animals that roam through forest sites.

Commoners are also worried about problems encountered when dealing with their animals at campsites.

"We are aware of several incidents whereby commoners have been stopped or chased across the campsites by wardens or their staff," he said.

"The comment,This is a private area and you have no right of access', has been quoted on more than one occasion. This is clearly not acceptable and requires work by the Forestry Commission and yourselves through the agisters.

"Understandably, it is in everyone's interest that an acceptable conclusion by all parties is reached as soon as possible."

He later told the Daily Echo ponies entering tents was not a new problem, but one that had increased this summer.

People leave food out on tables instead of putting it away in sealed containers which attracts the animals, he said.

"Let's have a talk about this and make the ground rules clear to all parties and not have these instances," he added.

"We want campers to have a good time when they come here and not have ponies going into their tents."

A spokesman for Forest Holidays said: "If the problem exists we are more than willing to give guidance to our site staff and to display any advisory material that is supplied to us by those who are responsible for the ponies."