THE PERSON complaining about the coverage of the boar problem obviously does not live in an area affected by the visits.

Does he/she not remember the days, not too long ago, when everyone had the confidence to walk freely in the Forest. You might see deer or some small wildlife.

At that time grass verges and playing fields were not ploughed up.

These are not true wild boar or the Forestry Commission would need a licence to keep them.

They were dumped here after 300 years without any pigs except for domestic animals with rings in their noses.

One Forest sow can produce 30 young pigs each year. So far 96 have been culled out of 136 permitted. I believe the meat finishes up in London at a good price.

The tourist board is promoting the Forest of Dean as an area to visit to see the wild boar yet they are basically nocturnal animals.

They do wander around with their litters looking for food thoughtfully provided by some misguided people. They also go on the roads and meet vehicles.

If anything is to be done to seriously control the numbers and prevent an unpleasant accident, every incident and encounter which causes concern needs to be reported to and recorded by Forestry Commission.

– B Jenkins, Coalway.