NEW warnings have gone out to people that they will be breaking the law and could be putting themselves in danger if they feed ponies in the New Forest.

The alarm was sounded this week in the wake of comments by a Compassion in World Farming spokesman that families come from all over the country to "stroke, feed and take pictures of them in idyllic surroundings."

Controversial Minstead commoner Bob Cooper took issue with the implication that feeding the ponies was accepted as part of the Forest way of life, whereas it can be dangerous to get too close to the animals.

He told a meeting of the New Forest Committee at Lyndhurst: "The person who made that comment might as well have added 'and depart minus the odd finger and bruised by a good kicking.'

"One might also hope they would take away a summons for breaking the by-laws."

He added that he hoped people "whose knowledge of the Forest has really plum-bed the depths" would have no part in the running of the Forest if it becomes a national park.

His warning received support from official verderer Maldwin Drummond, who described the remark about feeding the animals as "not a very sensible one."

He added: "I would urge people not to approach ponies in that way."

But Mr Cooper did run into trouble with a later comment that the verderers of the New Forest "had no faith or trust" in Mr Drummond.

The official verderer told committee chairman Ted Johnson there was no evidence to support Mr Cooper's allegation and added: "You have to take what he says with a pinch of salt.

"My predecessor (former official ver-derer John Burry) was roundly insulted by Bob Cooper, I have been roundly insulted by Bob Cooper and you have been roundly insulted by Bob Cooper.

"If he doesn't insult you, you must assume that you have been rather ineffective. It is easier to insult than to put forward a proper argument."