GUARDIANS of the New Forest have been frozen out of a vital selection process as the area prepares to become a National Park.

The government has denied the Verderers any say in the appointment of six experts who will be key members of the New Forest National Park Authority.

The decision has fuelled fears that the ancient watchdog group will be sidelined when the area receives the biggest shake-up in its history.

Richard Manley, chairman of the Commoners' Defence Association, said: "The Verderers are there to look after the Forest.

"They're elected by the commoners and are one of the oldest forms of democracy in the country, but the government doesn't seem to respect that. I'm certain an attempt will be made to sideline them."

The National Park Authority (NPA) is due to be launched in April and will shadow other organisations for 12 months before formally taking charge. It will comprise 16 local councillors, plus six government-appointed members with the knowledge, experience and expertise needed to guide the new authority.

The Verderers asked if they could help pick the six specialists. Their plea was supported by the Countryside Agency, the government body which drew up the blueprint that is being used to turn the Forest into a National Park.

However, rural affairs minister Alun Michael rejected the request.

Official Verderer Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre said: "The minister has decided that the Verderers will not take any direct part in the selection process. We have written to the minister to register our disappointment with the decision."

Today the Daily Echo can reveal that New Forest East MP Julian Lewis wrote to Mr Michael and urged him to involve the Verderers.

His letter said: "One of the reasons for my opposition to the National Park was that the Verderers would find themselves bypassed or over-ruled and the level of protection they are empowered to give would be greatly reduced."

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne said he was "extremely disappointed" at the outcome.

He added: "At a time when we're trying to set things up and get all the different parties to work together I would have thought that the minister could have been conciliatory.

"My fear has always been that the special circumstances of the New Forest will not be taken into account."

However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs defended Mr Michael's decision. A spokesman said: "There will be 16 locally appointed members of the NPA, plus six nationally appointed people who will bring something else to the National Park.

"It's unlikely the Verderers would know them and would not therefore be able to judge them on their national experience.

"It would also be undemocratic to change the rules for the benefit of one organisation. What would we say to any other groups that asked to take part in the selection process?"