A ‘Living with Feral Wild Boar’ workshop attracted 70 people worried about the colossal damage wreaked by the animals throughout the forest of Dean.

The workshop follows the admission earlier this year by Kevin Stannard, the Forest Deputy Surveyor, that the boar population is out of control.

The forum, held at Vantage Point Business Village in Mitcheldean, aimed to air key facts about the problem in the district and disseminate the concerns to the wider community.

Environmental, property and crops damage were pinpointed as the main problems as the rooting boar have destroyed sports pitches and recreation grounds, graveyards, gardens and caused disruption to unprotected historic sites.

The risk of disease such as TB to domestic livestock and the subsequent economic losses to individuals and business was also raised.

The workshop also discussed public safety and the public’s perception of safety with the boar.

Other worries included poor communication between the relevant bodies and agencies, the lack of education for local residents and tourists not advised not to feed the boar.

Guest speakers at the meeting included Dr Giovanna Massei of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Dr Sean Cahill, biologist at the Collserola National Park near Barcelona, The Forestry Commission’s Dr Kristin Waeber, Dr Alex Barlow from the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Dr Penny Bienz, consultant for the Deer Initiative.