IT has been at the heart of the village for 1,000 years.

A picture postcard feature that attracts hordes of camera-snapping tourists and paddling children every summer.

However, Watersplash Ford, pictured, in Brockenhurst has a become victim of its own popularity.

Now in a plan that has split the parish council, double yellow lines could be painted across it to stop holidaymakers parking their cars.

A narrow majority welcomed the move as a lesser of two evils, but others said it would complete the creeping urbanisation of Brockley Road, following a number of in-fill developments in recent years.

Parish councillor John Purkess, who proposed a motion backing the yellow lines, told the Echo: "There are cars parking up to the water's edge and even in the water. They are more of an urbanisation' eyesore than yellow lines."

Mr Purkess, whose family has lived in the village for 112 years, said the ford must be protected.

"There are not many streets with a watersplash at the end," he said.

He added there were similar protests about road markings to stop college students parking around Waters Green, but that people rarely looked down at the road.

One resident who lives near the ford said he was often blocked in his own driveway by cars or delivery lorries parking on the existing single yellow line that runs up to the water's edge. It bans parking between 9am to 5pm.

He said: "It would be nice to be free of cars. I would be happy to see yellow lines all the way down the road."

Fellow resident Alastair MacKenzie said the lines would "spoil the ford" which is a major tourist attraction, adding: "I think it's best left as it is. You will never stop people with cars doing silly things."

John Sloper, the village butcher, branded the idea as silly, adding: "People will still park there. I don't think there is any need for it. They are doing it so they can just issue more tickets."

Dissenting parish councillor Ruth Rollin said the ford was a unique feature that made Brockenhurst a special place. She said: "I think we should think very carefully before putting yellow lines down."

Parish councillors voted six to four to support the proposal by New Forest District Council, which will now go to public consultation.

They also suggested adding two more parking bays to the two near the ford and one outside the post office further up Brockley Road.

An extra bay outside Rosetta Cottage was rejected.