Schoolboy designs football club's new mascot

Buddy the boar was plucked from 2,317 entries to become Braintree Town's new mascot

They are known for causing mischief, taking selfies and rallying the crowd during football matches.

Now, Braintree Town FC in Essex has its own chief troublemaker: its new Buddy the boar mascot.

He was hand-picked by the club's players and manager after more than 2,000 entries were submitted by schoolchildren.

Adam Canning, a volunteer at the National League side, said the competition had been a "phenomenal success".

Youngsters were invited to design the mascot in March after the club decided to spruce up its matchday experience.

The huge volume of entries was whittled down to a shortlist of 12 and, after club staff privately voted on them, Buddy the Boar was selected.

It was the brainchild of 14-year-old Charlie, a schoolboy from 20 miles (32km) down the A120 in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Charlie's entry referenced historical reports of wild boars in the Braintree district

Buddy joined BBC Essex presenter Sonia Watson in the studio this week, but, unable to speak from behind the boar's head, Mr Canning filled in for him.

He explained the children were given "total free range" to suggest whatever they desired.

"There were a couple we couldn't put out," Mr Canning joked.

"We have kept them though, so they are at the club if anyone wants to see them – they're quite funny."

It followed what Mr Canning described as an "overwhelming" response to the competition.

"In the end, we ended up having 2,317 entries for the mascot competition," he said.

"Various people at the club – the playing staff, the manager – they all actually had an individual silent ballot vote on what mascot they wanted, and this is where Buddy the Braintree boar came from."

Buddy paid a visit to BBC Essex's radio studios in Chelmsford

The club believed Buddy embodied the strength and resilience of its players, who finished 17th last season.

It also nodded towards historical reports of wild boar in the Braintree district.

Mr Canning added: "It's been a very phenomenal success story, the way it's just gone through and everyone's taken to the mascot."