Traffic warning for those using car parks at Ocknell near Lyndhurst as Boxing Day point-to-point set to finish in the area

BOXING Day Forest users at Ocknell, near Lyndhurst, are being warned of extra traffic as the popular point-to-point is set to finish in the area.

A spokesperson for the event said car parks in the vicinity will likely be “very busy” and there will be horses and riders “moving at speed”.

Riders are not told of the starting point until the morning of the race. The first race is set to start at 11am.

A highlight of the commoning calendar, last year’s event saw 71 riders line up in a series of races for pure breed and part-breed New Forest ponies over one-and-a-half, and three-mile distances.

The event is regarded as an important part of the New Forest’s heritage, requiring riders to navigate an unknown course through the open Forest.