WALKERS, cyclists and horse riders are being urged to avoid parts of the New Forest during a series of pony round-ups.

Details of the round-ups – known as drifts – are published in advance after two incidents in 2012 in which members of the public were accidentally caught up in the activity.

Three drifts are due to take place at Appleslade on September 29, Wootton on October 2 and Ober on October 4.

A Verderers’ spokesman said: “For their own safety, members of the public are urged to avoid the area of each drift on the planned date.”