AN organisation opposed to animal exports is to spearhead a drive to try and stop sheep being reintroduced to the Forest of Dean.

The National Organisation Working Against Live Exports, which has 2,500 members, is writing to the Forest of Dean District Council this week urging an end to the tradition of free roaming sheep.

They will clash head-on with the recently formed Dean Forest Voice who in a statement this week say they are determined nothing will be done to impinge against local rights, culture and identity.

At a meeting to be held at The Miners Welfare Hall, Cinderford, on Friday, Dean Forest Voice members say they will be considering the best ways to reintroduce the sheep back into the Forest in the shortest possible time.

It is likely to be a bitter war of words.

James Buckner, representing NOWALE, said his organisation questioned the rights of sheep owners to allow animals to roam on the Forest.

He told the Review: "We have been told there is a document but so far as we know one has never been produced."

Mr Buckner said NOWALE had been appalled at what they had found in the Forest.

"Over the years people have witnessed or suffered the problems of the free roaming sheep. Destruction of gardens, injuries or death to animals involved in road accidents, damage to vehicles, veterinary costs for injured animals or the expense of carcass disposal, the removal of faeces, etc most of which has to be met with taxpayers money," he said.

The foot and mouth crisis, he said, offered a perfect opportunity to end for good the problems associated with the sheep.

But, he added, if sheep were to be reintroduced owners should be held responsible for all their costs and have liability insurance.

For Dean Forest Voice chairman Mr Mike Jones said the right of common was not in question.

"I am disappointed at the attitude of this animal rights organisation. We see the foot and mouth crisis as an opportunity to introduce a better system of welfare and, possibly, a method of better traffic control."

He added that the free roaming sheep were an essential part of the Forest scene and they were already being missed.