FOREST club rider Jared Linden was first home on the most testing course in this year's Wild Boar Chase.

Linden, of the Royal Forest of Dean Cycling Club, posted a time of 3hr:1min:4sec for the 'Full Boar', a 45-mile circuit of the Forest and Wye Valley starting at the Speech House.

Some 1,102 riders took part in the event who could also choose from the 40-mile 'Wye Boar', 26-mile 'Forest Boar' and 21-mile 'Small Boar'.

The event is organised by the Forest of Dean Lions Club and proceeds go to the club's charities.

Linden's winning time was three minutes and 37 seconds better than second-placed David Hayward of Gloucester who finished in 3hr: 4min:41sec.

The winner of the Wye Boar was Gloucestershire rider Kenneth Burke in 3hr:32min:39sec, Mo Rawstron of Herefordshire won the Forest Boar in 1hr:48min: 05sec and Derek Miller of Gwent won the Small Boar in 2hr:5min:35sec.