VILLAGERS and visitors to the New Forest are being urged not to leave apples out for ponies.

The New Forest Verderers have spoken out after two buckets containing fruit were spotted on Bramshaw Golf Course.

Eating large quantities of apples can result in ponies suffering a severe abdominal condition that often proves fatal.

A Verderers' spokesman: "Apples and kill ponies and donkeys as they gorge on them and potentially get colic. This has happened in the past and is a very real issue, so please do not leave fruit out for livestock."

It follows a warning issued earlier this year about the dangers of putting buckets of water out for ponies on hot days.

The Verderers stressed that buckets left beside roads increased the risk of animals being hit by cars.