OBJECTORS to plans for the building of a new church hall over a graveyard in the New Forest renewed their protest last night.

The hall has been planned at Hordle Parish Church, but has sparked a wave of objections from villagers, including many who have relatives buried in the graveyard.

More than 100 of the objectors turned up outside the church last night to stage a protest when church leaders and members arrived for their annual meeting.

The protest was described as "a little bit noisy but very good natured" and protesters waved banners carrying such messages as "Save the graves", "Give the village a chance" and "Graveyard Scheme No, Nursery Scheme Yes".

The last of those slogans referred to one of three alternative sites to the graveyard - a nursery just across Hordle Lane from the churchyard. Church leaders have said the financial situation is unacceptable, but objectors' spokesman Tim Boyce said: "How do they know that when they haven't discussed it with the owner of the land."

A second idea is to build on the site of the Rosoman Memorial Hall, just a short distance away and a third is a four-acre area known as the Woodland site, which has been offered by a local builder and which would have ample room for parking and a garden of rest.

Mr Boyce said no undertakings were given by the church to members who were entitled to attend and who asked questions during last night's meeting.

"But," he added, "from the point of view of the objectors, we consider the night was a success because our point was put across during the meeting and reinforced by the good-natured objection outside.

"We now hope the church will reciprocate and look seriously at the nursery scheme."

A spokesman for the church said a statement would be issued after full consideration had been given to the comments which were made during the meeting.