THE Forestry Commission has told concerned dog owners that it has no plans to restrict people walking their dogs in the New Forest.

Following a meeting with the newly formed, powerful New Forest Dog Owners' Group the Forestry Commission said it welcomed their arrival on the local scene.

New Forest deputy surveyor, Donald Thompson, said: "The pet owners' group had galvanised the interest and enthusiasm of around 3,000 people.

"That was a phenomenal achievement. For the first time pet owners across the forest have an organisation to speak up on their behalf.

"We would like to see the owners' group become a permanent body with many people joining its ranks.

"It's crucial that they have every freedom possible to enjoy the forest."

The New Forest Dog Owners' Group was formed in the wake of stringent foot-and-mouth restrictions, which said their pets must be kept on short leads in the New Forest.

That restriction was lifted by the Forestry Commission on Monday.

However the Group was also concerned that the proposed Countryside Rights of Way Act (CROW) could give the Forestry Commission a way of reintroducing a similar restriction.

But after its joint meeting with the Forestry Commission, the owners' group said it was feeling more reassured about the future.

Group spokesman, Pam Clayton, said: "The Commission has assured us that once the threat of foot-and-mouth disease has gone everything will return to normal.

"The Forestry Commission has also assured us that it does not have any current proposals for new restrictions on people walking their dogs in the New Forest.

"We are aware that there will be reviews in the future over dog-walking in the forest and we will be discussing with the Commission any future proposals."