WORRIED dog-walkers have today launched a petition to stop a paint-balling site which they fear will ruin part of a picturesque Suffolk forest.Maria Keeley and Tim Fincham regularly take their pets for long walks in Rendlesham forest and were dismayed to discover a planning application had been submitted to turn part of the forest in to a site for paint-balling.

WORRIED dog-walkers have today launched a petition to stop a paint-balling site which they fear will ruin part of a picturesque Suffolk forest.

Maria Keeley and Tim Fincham regularly take their pets for long walks in Rendlesham forest and were dismayed to discover a planning application had been submitted to turn part of the forest in to a site for paint-balling.

Mrs Keeley, 40, of Monewden, near Woodbridge, said: "We often go over there and walk our Great Danes and we are totally against it.

"I think what we are most concerned about is the noise and the impact it will have on the environment. It's not natural and it must do a certain amount of damage to such a beautiful area. I don't understand why they can't do it somewhere else."

Mr Fincham, 42, works in The Sandwich Shop in The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. He has drawn up a petition against the proposal, which he hopes his customers will sign.

He said: "I go up there for the peace and quiet and I'm very concerned about the noise that this area would create."

The application, submitted by Kombat Leisure, is for the use of two separate sites on an area of Forestry Commission land within the forest, just north of Woodbridge airfield.

The site is within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

In their application Kombat Leisure state that they have carried out "considerable research and consultation with both the Forestry Commission and English Nature" and that the proposals will cause little damage to the environment, while providing employment for ten people.

Only one area would be used for the first two to three years and then the activity would be transferred to the second site. This will ensure that the activities cause minimum environmental disturbance and will enable natural regeneration.

Noise levels will be kept to a minimum and the nearest houses are almost 1km away.

Activities will take place during a 40-week period each year and will be mostly at the weekends.

Do you think the plans will damage the forest? Or would you welcome this kind of activity in the area? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk