CYCLING in the New Forest is out of control - and Forestry Commission bosses are failing to crack down on rogue riders, it is claimed.

Protesters say parts of the Forest are being ruined by a huge number of cyclists, many of whom deviate from the authorised routes.

People living in the Linwood and Brock-enhurst areas are furious at the disturbance being caused by thousands of mountain bikes.

They claim that cyclists criss-crossing the heaths are undermining a multi-million-pound attempt by the European Union to improve nature conservation in the Forest.

Colonel Peter Sweet, of Grigg Lane, Brock-enhurst, said: "The Forestry Commission is doing nothing to police cyclists, who are going anywhere they like."

Pat Thorne, of Higher Farm, Linwood, said: "Cycling has escalated rapidly - and the commission is either reluctant or incapable of controlling the situation."

Other residents say cyclists cause problems even when they keep to approved routes.

Immy Bickford-Smith, of Oakley Park, Linwood, said riders were being directed "in uncontrolled numbers" into areas where they caused serious disturbance to wildlife.

She added: "Since cycle routes were established their use has been promoted not only by the commission but by cycling clubs and organisations nationwide.

"There has been a huge increase in the number of mountain bikes using the Forest.

"Millions of pounds are being spent by the EU to improve nature conservation in the area but at the same time nature conservation and commoning are being jeopardised."

The issue was raised at the Court of Verderers in Lyndhurst.

Richard Manley, chairman of the Commoners' Defence Association, said: "Cycling in the Forest is out of control - and is not being effectively policed."

But the commission's deputy surveyor Donald Thompson said his staff often approached cyclists who have left the gravel tracks in favour of riding across the heather instead.

Mr Thompson said names were taken and cautions issued in cases where riders refused to obey the rules.

But he added: "It's very difficult to police such a large area when you are dealing with people as mobile as cyclists.

"And chasing around the countryside could do more damage than the cyclists themselves."