Stray pigs 'leave gardens looking like Himalayas'

Several pigs have dug up a number of lawns since August

A row has erupted in a village after stray pigs left several front lawns "looking like the Himalayas".

Pigs have escaped from a farm in Garvestone, near Dereham, Norfolk, and trampled across nearby gardens on numerous occasions since August.

Farmer Trevor Armiger said the pigs had taken flight after padlocks on his farm gates were broken by vandals.

Locals have accused Mr Armiger of failing to pay for the damage, but he said he had offered to.

Lorraine and Phil Williams say their garden resembles a "ploughed field"

"We couldn't believe our eyes when we opened the curtains last Monday morning to this," said Lorraine Williams, 63, who lives nearby with her husband Phil, 69.

"It's completely destroyed our front lawn.

"Personally I've chased {the pigs] up the lane myself. They soon run away and they know where to go."

Mrs Williams said they had been quoted up to £1,500 to have their lawn repaired.

"We're a bit hesitant to [have the work done] because it might happen again," she added.

Neighbour Caroline Harris said attempting to repair her lawn was "pointless"

Caroline Harris, who lives on Town Lane, said her lawn had also been dug up "half a dozen times".

"[The farmer] did come down to have a look at the damage but he said it wasn't his responsibility because it was someone else letting the pigs out," she said.

"At no point, as far as I'm aware, has he recompensed."

Ms Harris said the police had been to the village twice to investigate but no action was taken.

Colin Williams captured images of the pigs on his lawn on his CCTV camera

Colin Williams, who posted photos of the pigs on his lawn on social media, said the damage had left his garden "looking like the Himalayas - only green".

"My lawn got turned over by the pigs in early January, but I know it's been happening in the village since about August," he said.

"It's like the pigs have had a ploughing match on the lawns."

Mr Williams said he knew of seven properties on Mattishall Road and Tanners Green that had also been affected.

Mr Williams said he reported the damage to the police

Mr Armiger, 59, insisted he had offered to pay for some of the damage.

"I told the man when he brought two of the pigs back to get a receipt or bill and 'I will pay you'," he said.

"He took no notice and put it straight on Facebook."

"I've put an electric fence up now. Hopefully, we've got it secured."

Mr Arminger said he knew of three people who had broken padlocks on his farm gates and cut the fencing.

Mr Armiger hopes an electric fence will help contain the wandering pigs

Norfolk Police confirmed it had received a report of a fence being cut on 5 January.

A spokesperson added: "All lines of inquiry have been exhausted and the case has been closed."

The force said damage caused by the pigs was a civil matter under the Animals Act 1971.

Breckland Council has been approached for comment.