A NEW grants scheme in the New Forest aims to provide animal owners with much-needed funds to support their traditional way of life.

The new scheme aims to help people commoners whose animals graze Northern Commons.

Individual grants of up to £1,000 will be available for schemes such as fencing back-up grazing land, replacing farm structures and establishing livestock-handling facilities.

The fund will be administered by the New Forest Land Advice Service (NFLAS) on behalf of the National Trust, which owns the commons.

National Trust ranger Lee Hulin said: “Commoners’ free-ranging livestock are essential to the commons, continually supporting the conservation of these precious open heath landscapes.”

The new scheme has been welcomed by Cadnam animal owner Rick Manley, who was also formerly the chairman of the Commoners’ Defence Association.

He said: “There are many challenges we face as commoners including the ever increasing cost of looking after animals and turning them out on to the Forest.”

“This grant scheme should help commoners to maintain and improve the infrastructure that is essential if we are to continue our traditional way of life.”