HUNDREDS of people last night called for the closure of all New Forest car parks - but today the Forestry Commission went ahead with a decision to increase the number of re-opened car parks to 15.

A packed meeting at Brockenhurst Village Hall demanded the reversal of a decision to open car parks during the foot-and-mouth crisis.

But this morning the Forestry Com-mision was opening up six more car parks as it relaxed restrictions.

Around 270 people crammed into last night's meeting and heard of the desperate plight facing the Forest's cattle and ponies trapped on smallholdings following movement restrictions.

They were also told of the deep fears among pony owners that too much freedom for visitors could bring the dreaded disease into the area.

And at the end of the meeting, British Deer Society vice-president and verderer Major Peter Baillie called for a shut-down of the re-opened car parks.

Rather than ask for a vote in favour, Mr Ted Johnson, who was chairing the meeting, said he had gathered the feeling of the meeting and asked: "Is there anyone who disagrees?"

There was silence.

Several New Forest commoners, who own ponies and cattle, spoke of the crying need for fresh grazing and for the provision of hay which is running short in the cramped and muddy areas the animals are being kept in. There were also calls for consideration to be given to the riding establishments, which have been driven into dire straits by the ban on riding, to be able to return in a responsible and cautious manner.

There was criticism of the government and of the Forestry Commission over the re-opening of the car parks and the restriction on animal movements.

But the Commission's senior New Forest officer Donald Thompson said advice was constantly being taken from the government's veterinary experts and pointed out that an animal movement order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture prevented animals from being let out.

A key issue, he said, was that if cattle were let out, they could wander on public highways, something not allowed under the ministry restrictions.

There is an order that restricts the animals from being on the public highways which is nothing to do with the Forestry Commission, he added.

The public is effectively banned from walking on open land in the Forest.

New Forest tourism chairman Chris-tine Ames said: "When it is safe for the car parks to reopen, we will be happy.

"But if the advice is that it is not right to do it, although it is very difficult for the industry with the season just starting off, our members will comply."