CONSERVATIONISTS will ask Defence and Environment Ministers for a review of military training, including whether it should be carried out on Dartmoor.

This follows last week's meeting between the army and conservationists, who want the army to withdraw from the National Park.

Kate Ashbrook,Open Spaces Society secretary, said: 'It didn't get us very far. They couldn't talk about the big issues, such as whether they should be on Dartmoor at all, so now we need to address ministers.'

She went with John Bainbridge, chief executive of the Dartmoor Preservation Association, and Ron Bagshaw, of the Ramblers' Association, to meet army training officers Lt-Col Charles Nutting, Lt-Col Tony Clark and John Locke, the army's land agent.

The officers said they had improved the planning of their training so a higher proportion of booked ranges was used.

They said that notice of firing sessions was posted on the internet on the day. Kate Ashbrook said level of usage was still too low, notice came too late and some walkers don't have internet access.

Army spokesman David Harris said the meeting was a private affair — conservationists had 'abused our hospitality' by calling a press conference.

The army's licence to use 2,250 acres around Cramber Tor and Combshead comes up for review in July. Conservationists hope to prevent the licence being renewed.

The DPA has written to South-West Water, which owns much of the land in question, asking for a reference to the Environment Department with a view to a public inquiry.

Mr Harris expected the licence to be renewed but if it came to an inquiry the army would co-operate fully.

He said the army believes Dartmoor is essential for training the UK's armed forces, especially those based in the South-West.