AROUND 850 riders took part in the fifth annual Wild Boar Chase mountrain bike challenge.

There are five routes to choose from including, for the first time, the Humbug Chase which was designed for children aged eight to 12 and their parents.

The event, which starts at the Speech House, is organised by Severndean Lions and the Forest of Dean Lions and this year raised more than £10,000 for good causes.

The five routes were the 45-mile Full Boar, the Wye Boar which is 40 miles, the Forest Boar at 26 miles, the 21-mile Small Boar and the nine-mile Humbug.