One of the New Forest's oldest sports clubs has closed down due to a lack of participants.

Fordingbridge Hockey Club played their last match on Sunday, June 26.

The demise of the club had been on the cards for some time, with the ladies team folding a few years ago, and the men reduced to a single team.

Juliet Cook joined the club in 1982 after leaving Ringwood School, and thinks it is a variety of issues that have led to the disbandment of a once popular hockey club.

She said: "With people needing a Saturday job or going off to University, we seemed to lose a generation of youngsters.

"One other observation was that local school teachers regularly encouraged their student hockey players to go to the bigger clubs, and this was a real frustration for us."

Other issues including the lack of facilities at the current venue meant that the tradition of hosting teas for the visiting team was discontinued, leading to a reduction in atmosphere.

Despite the previous struggle to assemble a team, a mixed 7-a-side tournament was organised by the clubs small committee.

More than 70 hockey players from colts to veterans took part, with teams from Salisbury, Romsey and Fordingbridge enjoying a fun-filled afternoon.

The tournament took place on the astro pitch at the Burgate School and Sixth Form Centre.

The poignant moment was the surprise visit of club legend Robert Egerton, who wore his original hockey club jacket, as well as bringing a hockey stick and a ball very different from the modern equipment today.

Bob had the honour of presenting medals to the tournament runners-up Fordingbridge, as well as winners Romsey.

Juliet Cook said: "I would like to thank all those involved for making the tournament such a success.

"It was fitting way to call time on the club whose numbers have dwindles over the last 5 years with access to larger clubs with good infrastructure so much more available."