CONTROVERSIAL plans to stage jousting tournaments in the New Forest will cause traffic chaos, a public meeting was told last night.

More than 100 protesters packed a village hall to voice their anger at proposals to hold indoor contests in what they described as a “semi-derelict” building in Brockenhurst.

The jousting is due to take place in a barn at the end of a narrow track leading off Rhinefield Road, starting on Sunday.

Sally Ann Marshall, who lives nearby, said the tournaments would be held seven days a week throughout the summer, with two shows on Thursdays.

She added that the barn could seat 1,000 people and warned that the contests were likely to result in a huge number of cars entering the village.

“There will be chaos on Rhinefield Road – it will be like the New Forest Show every day.”

Brockenhurst councillor Maureen Holding said she was attempting to find a way of preventing the tournaments from going ahead.

She added: “The health and well-being of residents in this village will be compromised by noise, traffic and people. Our whole way of life could change.

“More people have contacted me about this than any other issue in the 11 years I’ve been your district councillor.”

Residents discussed the idea of holding a demonstration outside the venue on Sunday to highlight their strength of feeling.

Cllr Holding said: “If people want a demonstration and feel it’s the only way forward we will do it – but we must stay within the law.”

Villagers said they were thinking of hiring a private company to fine jousting fans – or even clamp their cars – if they parked in residential roads.

John Luke said: “Jousting has the potential to inflict serious disruption in this community and damage the peaceful life enjoyed by a lot of people.

“It’s the wrong activity in the wrong place – and we’re doing our best to get it stopped.”

The tournaments have been organised by New Forest businessman Alan Girling, who says they will give the local economy a much needed boost.