A New Forest MP's last-ditch bid to get two scenic towns included in the National Park has failed.

Rural Affairs minister Alun Michael insisted Ringwood and Lymington would be outside the park's boundaries. New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne had tried to get ministers to overturn their proposal to keep the towns outside the park boundary.

Tory Mr Swayne said they should have been included to ease the impact of tourist accommodation in the New Forest, but he was unsuccessful in persuading Mr Michael to reconsider his decision on the boundaries.

He said: "I asked the minister to include Ringwood and Lymington but he has responded by saying, in effect, that the decision was made and the matter closed. I am very disappointed at the decision.

"I campaigned for their inclusion and the decision by the Countryside Agency should not have been overturned.

"I fear two things - first that the national park is too small to afford sufficient protection to the very sensitive forest core.

"The more robust areas of Ringwood and Lymington should have been included to accommodate tourist and leisure activity.

"Second, I am worried that the exclusion of the urban areas is a prelude to them becoming victims of the government's housing policy and its determination to increase high density developments around the Forest where they are quite inappropriate."

The New Forest will become England's first new national park for 50 years. The decision came after a seven-month inquiry, following years of campaigning by some environmental lobby groups. They argued that the move will help protect rare animal habitats, which are at risk from intensive farming and building.

Farmers were angered amid fears of fresh restrictions and increasing government interference.

Mr Michael said it would preserve the "unique character" of the Forest.

The New Forest National Park will be the country's smallest national park at 571 sqkm and an estimated population of 38,000.More than half the land and coastline within the boundaries are already designated as sites of special scientific interest.