FOREST Keepers on horse back which patrol Epping Forest are to be scrapped altogether.

The Guardian reported how members of a riding association were worried that new plans from the City of London Corporation would abolish the mounted keepers, and now their fears have become a reality.

The City of London Corporation announced that keepers on foot and bike will replace the horses.

Member of the Epping Forest Riders Association Lyn Goodwin has launched a campaign in protest against the decision.

She said: "We now intend to write to the Chairman that has ratified these proposals with a request that a moratorium is immediately instituted so that a proper consultation can take place with all users of the Forest."

Hayley Rhodes, 45 from Epping New Road, Buckhurst Hill is the Deputy Chairman of the Riders Association.

She said: "I think it's terrible news. It's just so short sighted. Mounted keepers are part of the forest tradition and they can get to places where others cant."

The City of London Corporation plans to replace the three existing mounted keepers with those on foot or bike, and the remaining vacant position will be replaced with a health and safety officer.

The horses are likely to be sold at auction.

Paula Hare, from the Woodredon Equestrian Centre said they had offered for the horses to be kept on their land.

She said: "We told them that our land is leased from them and if they wanted to save some money they could keep their horses here. It would have been far more financially viable. But they ignored our suggestion.

"I think it's a real shame they have got rid of the mounted keepers. It's an historic part of the forest and to be replaced by bikes is ludicrous. In the winter when the weather is bad cyclists find it very hard going. If there's an incident they are never going to get there. A horse can go anywhere at speed. A person on foot can go anywhere, but not at speed."

Users of the forest reported that there had been an increase in crime since the number of mounted forest keepers had reduced, but the City of London Corporation admitted they had kept no record of crime figures in the forest.

Ms Rhodes said: "I'm worried that we are going to lose the contact and if something happens they won't be able to get there. Even though it's a done deal we want them to know we are so unhappy about it."