FORESTRY Commission officials are today deciding whether to turn one of the South's most popular beauty spots into a no-go area.

Emergency measures to close car parks and caravan sites in the New Forest are under consideration in a bid to keep foot-and-mouth out of Hampshire.

Owners of livestock who graze on the common ground in the Forest have already been advised to take their cattle back to holdings to minimise contact between animals.

The moves come after a case of foot-and-mouth was confirmed in the neighbouring county of Wiltshire.

A spokesperson for the commission said: "At the moment we are requesting the public not to come into the Forest but we are considering closing these sites to ensure there is no chance of the disease coming into the area. We are taking it that seriously and want the public to do the same.

"Not only do we have to worry about the animals within the boundary of the Forest but there are many farms on our boundaries - we have to consider those as well."

The drastic measures to ban the public from the Forest come after the National Park Authority decided to restrict public access to Dartmoor.

Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, is also considering closing to ensure the disease does not spread there.

Curator Peter Bircher said the latest incident was worrying.

"That is a fresh dimension. If we get to the situation where we feel the risk factor has increased significantly we will lose to the public," he added.

Last week Marwell staff started precautionary measures including disinfecting visitors' shoes, and asking them if they have had contact with farms and banning cars from the park.

He said members of the public had been understanding.

Planned visits by students from two agricultural colleges, including Sparsholt, have been postponed.

Other areas in the South taking action to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth include:

l Itchen Valley Country Park, near Eastleigh, considering closing its doors to the public.

l Fox hunting in the New Forest has been suspended.

l Longhatch Gardens near West Meon postponing its open days as the gardens are surrounded by a sheep farm.

Meanwhile, farmers across the South are trying to keep the disease at bay by putting disinfectant dips and beds at the entrance to their farms.

Mike Smales a dairy farmer with a 220 strong herd at Landford, said: "There is no question if the disease got into Hampshire it would be devastating. It would be a case of lighting a bonfire of livestock outside your window and seeing your livelihood go up in smoke".

Compensation for farmers affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak has been demanded by Winchester MP Mark Oaten.

Speaking to more than 100 farmers at a breakfast organised by Winchester law firm White and Bowker, Mr Oaten said compensation should be at pre-outbreak prices.

Farmers caught up in exclusion zones, which Hampshire has so far avoided, should also be compensated, he said.