Calls for cull after churchyard is damaged by boar

It looks like someone has ploughed up the churchyard. But the culprits are wild boar. They got in over a broken wall. Our camera shows the extensive damage at Parkend Church.

• Take a virtual tour of the damaged graveyard

The Forest of Dean now has an estimated 1,500 wild boar. They are natural roamers and foragers, rooting about for seeds and grubs in the turf.

That's not a problem in the forest floor. Not so good in a cemetery like St Paul's church in Parkend.

It will inevitably be volunteers who have to mend the damage. Fred Bancroft, one of the local churchwardens says it's devastating and is calling for action. He want the existing cull to be extended

It's thought about 60 of the animals - a cross between wild boar and Tamworth pigs, were illegally released into the Forest of Dean more than ten years ago.

They are prolific breeders, and despite regular culls their numbers just keep growing. They can cause problems when they stray into towns and villages - turning turf to a mess within minutes.

But Scott Passmore who runs a wildlife rescue service, says the boar should be left alone.

No one from the Forestry Commission was available for interview but in a statement the Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs said:

There are those who say the boar are an asset to the Forest and should remain. But others say damage like this makes them a menace, and their numbers need to kept under even tighter control.