A VACANCY has occurred in the New Forest for a new member of the historic Court of Verderers.

The court was set up in 1877 and controls the grazing rights on the grazing lands of the New Forest and one of its seats is allocated by the Department for the environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Present DEFRA-appointed verderer John Perry, who lives in the Winchester area, is retiring after three three-year terms and nominations for a new verderer, to serve for three years from April 1, are being sought.

Details can be obtained from the verderers' office at the Queen's House, Lyndhurst, but a good understanding of agricultural, environmental, recreation and animal welfare issues is required.

The Court consists of an official verderer, five elected verderers who represent the commoners and four appointed verderers representing DEFRA and the Forestry Commission.