PLANS for a giant campsite could sound the death knell for the New Forest Show.

The Forestry Commission has pledged to forge ahead with its scheme to create a giant campsite on the showground site at New Park, Brockenhurst - albeit slightly scaled down plans.

In a bid to restore ancient woodlands on its current campsites, the Commission wants to relocate 700 pitches to New Park - smaller than its original intention to set up 980 pitches.

As this news filtered to the New Forest Show its executive secretary, Justin Lance, said: "The show organisers are looking forward to hearing the detail of the revised proposal.

"They are still fully committed to securing the long-term future of the show."

But the Show Society's newsletter, which refers to the original 980-pitch scheme, said: "The threat to the show is immense; loss of 100 per cent of the parking is likely to have a detrimental effect on attendance and a subsequent ruination of the show."

And a life member of the Show Society, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was not impressed with the revised plans. "I've been coming here for 43 years. I believe if this campsite was to go ahead it would mean the end of the New Forest Show," she said.

The Forestry Commission, which boasts a huge corner attraction at the show, said its decision to "limit" the size of the campsite to 700 pitches was made following environmental studies.

A further round of consultations with key groups will begin shortly and a preliminary site design will be drawn up for consultation in the autumn.

A planning application would then be submitted.