FOREST folk are furious that visitors to Linford Bottom near Ringwood are damaging the forest floor.

The ground at the beauty spot was once lush and green is now covered in a patchwork of scorched and charred earth as people barbecue directly onto the ground.

And beer cans, cigarette ends and bags of rubbish are strewn into the bushes or left on open spaces.

Dog walkers have contacted the Forest Journal and are urging the Forestry Commission to build permanent barbecuing sites for people wanted to eat al fresco.

Ian Stockdale, who lives near Linford, said: "Some visitors come to our New Forest presumably to enjoy the green but unbelievably leave it with black scorched squares which take at least a year to grow over.

"Last week one area in Linford had three burns, a selection of 10 beer tops and 15 cigarette butts left in one picnic area measuring 4m x 4m. Dogs have now dug up the squares and some kind local person has collected the litter.

"In Linford there are plenty of gravel places along the river bank where barbecues can be set on the ground without causing this mindless damage. Even better, why not raise the barbecues off the ground with a couple of bricks. No burns."

Mr Stockdale told the Forest Journal that portable barbecues should be banned if people cannot use them properly.

He said: "How about the National Park installing permanent steel communal barbecues as they do in the USA parks. In Linford there is even a concrete area that is very suitable."

Dog walker Gracie Long said: "I walk here every day and the mess that is left over the weekends is abysmal. On Mondays after a warm weekend or the day after a Bank Holiday you can guarantee their will be bags of rubbish, glass and even barbecue's left on the ground.

"It is dangerous to the wildlife. Horses are very inquisitive and will start rummaging around in the bags, they, along with dogs can tread on broken glass and damage their hooves or paws and lots of animals can suffocate on plastic bags.

"We like to have visitors in this beautiful part of the world, but it is important that people look after the Forest."