VILLAGERS in Edge End who were looking forward to their traditional annual fete on June 22 have had their hopes dashed - by rampaging wild boar.

The destructive feral pigs have dug up the recreation ground to the extent it has become unusable.

Robin Mann, of the Edge End Recreation Ground Trust, said: “Field skittles, obstacle course, tug-of-war, hoop-la, soak-the-bloke, tin-can shy and a barbecue and many other sports and activities always used to be the hallmark of happy village fetes at Edge End.

“But not this summer as the boar have wreaked havoc on the Rec.

“It was only springtime last year when a big group of village volunteers turned out to grade, harrow, rake and then re-seed areas damaged the previous winter.

“The field recovered in time for last year’s fete, but the boar wrecked all that last autumn and winter and now it’s more extensively churned up than ever.

“So this year the fete has had to be cancelled and instead a quiz evening and barbecue and side stalls will be held in the village’s marquee - but there will be no wide games or sports."

This year’s event is now a fund-raiser to provide for the re-instatement of the Recreation Ground and the provision of proper boar-proof fencing.

For this £8,130 is needed. The village has already raised £2,000 and organisers hope that funds from the event on June 23 (from 7pm) will raise enough to enable the ground-preparation and fencing work to begin very soon.