GOVERNMENT experts have continued their battle to have three border areas included in the New Forest National Park.

At the public inquiry at Lyndhurst, landscape consultant Julie Martin described the Avon Valley flood plain as "the jewel in the crown on the western boundary of the national park".

Speaking on behalf of the Countryside Agency, which has drawn up the plans and the proposed park boundary, she defended the decision to include three areas with rich sand or gravel deposits - in the Avon Valley and at Fawley and south of Lymington.

"In the case of the Avon Valley, we were impressed by the landscape quality of the flood meadows and we are aware of its national and international importance," she said, referring to its designation as an ESA (Environ-mentally Sensitive Area), the Avon Valley SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and various nature conservation designations.

She said the ESA designation of the flood meadows described it as "one of the best water meadow systems in the country".

On land at Fawley, there were views of grazing animals which fitted in with the Forest area.

She added: "There are some detractors, and Fawley Power Station is the obvious one, but it has been excluded from the boundary."

She said areas at Ashlett Creek and Calshot met the natural beauty criterion.

The agency was aware that extensive gravel extraction took place south of Lymington, but she added: "When restored, this site will be perfectly suitable for the national park."