PET lovers have reacted angrily after the MoD stopped them using a piece of its land as an animal burial area.

The site, on the border of the Salisbury Plain army training ranges at Milston, near Bulford, has become a popular pet cemetery, where scores of grieving owners have buried their beloved cats and dogs.

But the animal enthusiasts were shocked and disgusted when large signs were erected preventing them from using the makeshift pet graveyard.

"Most of the graves are very well kept and look lovely with their flowers and little plaques," said war veteran Dr Gordon Charkin, who has many friends who used the site for their pets' memorials.

"They are neatly tucked away under a hedge, so they are not in the way or doing any harm.

"I think it's very mean of the MoD to stop people from burying their dogs there if they want to.

"A lot of people stop and look at the little graves and they make a nice change from all the huge areas of land ripped apart by tanks."

A by-law allows the public to access the site, which is popular with dog-walkers.

"A lot of people have very happy memories of walking there with their animals and that's where they want their graves to be," added DrCharkin.

"I don't think the MoD has been very sensitive about this - the sign was very rude and didn't take into account people's feelings."

Pet owners, unhappy with the changes, have asked the MoD to reconsider the directive.

"I think this has become quite a nice little tradition that improves the appearance of the area," said Dr Charkin.

"After all, they have 140 square miles of land to reduce to mud - what's wrong with having one little corner to remember our pets?"

But a spokesman for the MoD said the graveyard had to be stopped because it was getting out of control. "At the end of the day, this is MoD land, used for military exercises.

"So many people were burying their pets there it was becoming a major health and safety issue.

"Although there's nothing to stop people walking there, or scattering ashes on the site, using the land for burial is contrary to the by-laws.

"We have put up signs telling people not to bury any more animals there, although we will accept that some graves are already on the site.

"We know it is a popular spot with dog-walkers and has become a bit of a local tradition, but it had to stop before it became a major problem."