Visitors to the New Forest this Easter bank holiday weekend are being warned not to touch or feed the area's free-roaming ponies and donkeys.

Such actions became a fineable offence last year after a slew of public injuries and several animals died from ingesting human food.

Two Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were enforced by New Forest District Council last July. The first ban is against feeding and petting these animals and the second intends to shield the forest from wildfires by prohibiting BBQs and fires.

Violators face a fixed penalty fine of £100, potentially escalating to £1,000 with a successful prosecution. The initial three months saw rangers engage in 152 incidents involving over 700 individuals through the new PSPOs.

Among these occurrences, over 120 involved petting or feeding the ponies and donkeys. Recent surveys indicate a high awareness level (95 per cent) of these prohibitions, yet more than a quarter of those questioned were oblivious to the potential fines.

Most respondents (65 per cent) were locals or day trippers from surrounding areas, while around 30 per cent were holidaymakers.

Patrol teams from Forestry England, New Forest National Park Authority, and the Verderers of the New Forest regularly engage with visitors, explaining the rules.

Clear signs and information dealing with these rules are ubiquitously available within the forest. These regulations are comprehensively outlined in the New Forest Code, widely shared throughout the local area and by tourism businesses to visitors both before and during their visit.

Cllr Dan Poole, New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for community, safety and wellbeing, said: "Most people enjoying the Forest do so with great care and regard for the New Forest Code. But last year we saw a number of pony petting and feeding incidents, including in our car parks in Forest villages.

"It is so important people follow the rules, to keep themselves, and the animals safe."

Steve Avery, executive director at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: "Please keep your distance and allow the animals to do their important job in creating and maintaining the exceptional habitats of the New Forest, so that other species can flourish."