A WEEK or two back my wife watched a TV programme about people with unusual pets. One chap featured kept a pair of Komodo dragons whose pen he would enter, and then proceed to stroke their backs, fuss them, and generally treat them much like dogs.

He wished to introduce these creatures into the country and was adamant that they had a bad reputation and were essentially harmless.

It occurred to me that the Forest of Dean would provide an ideal trial venue. We have established a precedent which makes it difficult to refuse the offer.

Tourists would flock to see them, bringing much needed trade.

And if the Komodo proved after all to be somewhat less than tractable, they would wipe out the dreaded boar.

– David Whitehead, Stroat.