A LITTLEDEAN man is recovering after a stand off with a rogue boar in the woods near Speech House Lake.

Barrie Buckley was walking his spaniel when he heard a rustling in the undergrowth about 20 yards away from him.

"It was like a horror movie – I could hear something coming at me through the bushes.

"I know what a deer sounds like, but it was bigger than that – it was more like a horse coming through the bracken. I could hear it coming through the bushes towards me for at least a couple of seconds."

The animal burst from the undergrowth around 10 yards in front of Mr Buckley and charged at him.

"He stopped five yards in front of me, pawing the ground like bulls do. It was near enough for me to kick at him and whip it with the dog lead.

"I was absolutely petrified and I thought he was going to break my legs."

It was the first time Mr Buckley had encountered a boar, despite being a frequent woodland dog walker.

He said: "In the past, I have always thought I would stay away from them and they would stay away from me, but that didn't happen.

"If it had been a young kid who was charged it would have had no chance. With the summer holidays coming up we need to do something or some child is going to get seriously injured.

"I love animals and I wouldn't have reported it, but I really think the boar problem is getting serious now."

Forestry Commission deputy surveyor Rob Guest said: "In a situation like this we would keep an eye on things first, as we never know whether there has been some factor that has affected the boar.

"In some cases the person's dog has been involved and we have to ask whether the animal is just by nature agressive or perhaps it has been worried by a dog.

"If it were naturally aggressive then we would of course take steps to deal with the situation."

The Forestry Commission has boards at picnic areas advising people about staying safe in the woods and advises that people should keep dogs under control or on a lead if they are in any doubt.

If a confrontation with a boar arises, people should quietly back away, the Commission advises.

Boar should never be fed or approached, even if they appear tame. To report an incident with an aggressive boar contact the Forestry Commission on 01594 833057.