VILLAGERS’ lives could be in danger according to a Parkend resident who says marksmen were shooting wild boar only a 100 yards away from nearby houses.

The resident, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisals, said he contacted the police after hearing rifle shots close to his home at around 5.30pm on February 16.

He said: “At first I thought it might be poachers because it sounded very close to the village.

“I went out and found and bumped into a woman who was walking her dog. ?

“To shoot at that time when a lot of people are out walking in the woods is extremely dangerous.

“After checking with the police it turned out to be Forestry Commission marksmen taking part in the wild boar cull.

“I spoke to one of their staff and they told me they were within their rights to fire anywhere on Forestry land.”

Forestry officers say there was no danger to any members of the public were at any point during the operation.

A Forestry Commission spokesperson said: “I can confirm our wildlife rangers were working in the area on Thursday, February 16.

“The main priority for our professional rangers is safety, there was no danger to members of the public at any point during our management operation.

A member of Forestry Commission staff has spoken directly to the concerned resident.”