A GROUP of residents in one Forest village say they would prefer it if sheep were not allowed to return to the area.
"I am sure there are lots more people who feel the same way," said Chris Yeatman, who with partner Nigel Preest is campaigning to keep the animals out of Parkend if not the whole Forest.
They have placed a prominent "No More Sheep" sign outside the gate of their home.
"I am not so much against the sheep as the way they are kept," said Chris, who added that she had sometimes felt so sorry for them in winter she had fed them scraps.
"But I took the children to school today and it was lovely without the sheep there. The school has carpet now, and normally we would have to take their shoes off when we get there – that shouldn't happen, should it?"
Wildflowers were returning to places like the 'The Tumps' where she often walked and it was noticeable that the smell of sheep was absent.
"I have lots of guests coming to the Forest to stay and I'm sure they don't come here to see the sheep," she said. "They come to walk and they wouldn't mind if they were gone.
"I have talked to older people and they say when people had 10 or 12 sheep they were well cared for and there were never the problems we have these days.
"There are just too many of them, and while badgers get all the allowances and things that farmers do they have none of the responsibilities.
•A Statement of Intent on the implementation of a new agreement between the Commoners Association and the Forestry Commission is to be signed on Friday at the Verderer's Courtroom at Speech House.
"This is an historic occasion," said Senior Verderer Dr Cyril Hart.
And Forest Deputy Surveyor Rob Guest added: "The need to minimise the nuisance of sheep to the Forest communities and along the major highways, taking account of public attitudes and the increase in traffic, are an integral part of the agreement."
Commoners chairman Henry Mills said: "We are looking forward to the sheep coming back, probably in April."