A FIRM has defended its decision to fence in a public footpath across Baddesley Common.

This follows criticism of Draper Tools' action by North Baddesley Parish Council chairman, Alan Dowden.

He claims the fence is "very dangerous" and unsuitable for an area used by young children.

"A deer has already died. It was ripped to pieces by the fence," he said.

Draper's built the waist-high stock fence to keep horses--which graze the field on the common--off the footpath that links the A27 with Emer Bog.

North Baddesley Parish Council asked the company to take action after complaints from residents about horses frightening children.

In June, Draper Tools said they were prepared to fence off the footpath to protect walkers and the parish council agreed to the move.

However, now the fence is up Mr Dowden is far from happy.

"It is unnecessary and dangerous. If a child fell onto it or slipped, they could rip an eye out. The top two layers of the fence are razor-sharp barbed wire. Draper's are entitled to put the fence up, but there was no need to use the razor-sharp wire," claimed Mr Dowden.

Jack Hayes, from Draper Tools, said: "We fenced the footpath there to protect walkers from the horses at the request of the parish council.

"Without the barbed wire on the top, the horses would break the fencing down," added Mr Hayes.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for rights of way, said Draper Tools had done nothing wrong.

"We are going to check that the barbed wire has been placed on the field-side of the fence," she added.

County rights of way officials were due to visit the site on Tuesday.

A Salisbury vet who also visited the site this week to inspect the deer carcass confirmed the animal had been attacked by a dog and died as a result of the injuries sustained.