MINISTERS are being asked to fund a poll on the future of wild boar in the Forest of Dean.

Three county councillors have written to Defra (the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) asking for funding for a local referendum.

Councillors Richard Leppington, Colin Guyton and Alan Preest have signed a letter saying the Forestry Commission needs to be given a mandate to carry out a large-scale cull of the boar if that is what local people want.

Councillor Leppington (UKIP, Blakeney and Bream) said: "A sizeable part of my postbag is complaints about damage caused by the boar.

"The Forestry Commission will not carry out a large-scale cull because it does not feel it has a mandate to do so.

"If Defra would fund a referendum it would show the democratic will of the people either for a large-scale cull or against it."

The Forestry Commission has said that it receives five times as many letters in support of the boar than calls for more control of their number.

The letter to Defra states: "We are writing to you in our capacity as county councillors for an area of the Forest of Dean that, we have been advised by residents, has been adversely affected by the apparent over-breeding of wild pigs or boar.

"We understand that is Defra policy that primary responsibility for the management of these creatures lies with local communities.

"As such we would like to give the Forestry Commission a clear mandate, if it is the wish of local residents, which will enable them to undertake a large-scale cull of boar on their land.

"Accordingly we call upon you to support, both financially and in principle, a local referendum to allow the people of the Forest to express their views."

Cllr Leppington said a poll would most likely be limited to people who live in the Statutory Forest.

The call for a referendum comes as boar have been spotted in Lydney – on Bream Road near Lydney Hospital and it is thought they were responsible for damaging the mesne at Primrose Hill.

The boar are also high on the agenda of West Dean parish council with local people regularly attending meeting to report damage by the boar.

The parish council has met with the Forestry Commission and has pledged to work with the commission on the issue.

Parish clerk Dave Kent said: "A lot of residents in the parish are affected and they come to our meetings.

"The council is pleased that the Forestry Commission is hearing the other side of the story (from people affected by the boar)."