A VETERAN verderer has resigned amid claims the Forestry Commission does not give enough support to people who keep animals in the New Forest.

David Stagg's decision to stand down after two decades follows allegations that the verderers - who oversee the grazing rights of the Forest - are being excluded from key decisions that affect the area's future.

Critics of the commission say the Forest's ancient guardians are being sidelined.

Mr Stagg said today: "I've been a verderer for 20 years and felt I was supporting commoning, but I'm beginning to wonder who the heck is.

"I started to feel so helpless - and decided I could do more from the outside."

Mr Stagg said the verderers were losing their independence - partly because they had obtained their funding through the commission for the past eight years.

He added: "The commission has started to quibble on certain issues, but you can't challenge it because it provides the money.

"My seat was up for re-election next month so I could have stood down then and gone quietly, but I thought I might as well make a point."

Mr Stagg said he was particularly concerned about cycling in the Forest and also the possible introduction of drag-hunting in the area.

He added: "The commission has even introduced safaris - and not a word to the verderers."

The commission's recreation and range manager Mike Seddon said the organisation discussed almost all recreational matters with the verderers.

But he added that events such as safaris did not need the verderers' consent.

Official Verderer Maldwin Drummond expressed disappointment at Mr Stagg's decision to resign, saying he had made an enormous contribution to the Forest.

"David understands the history of the place and has always been supportive of commoning," added Mr Drummond.