Forest of Dean boar cull sparks row

Wild boar have started digging up ground in populated areas in the Forest of Dean

A boar cull in the Forest of Dean is targeting the wrong areas according to a wildlife group in Gloucestershire.

Friends of the Boar has criticised the Forestry Commission for culling those in the forest rather than "nuisance boars" in populated areas.

Campaigner David Slater said: "I don't see any reason why they can't shoot next to houses - in fact they've done that all along."

The commission said its rangers must put public safety first.

'Worsening the problem'

A spokesman said rangers can only work "at the safest times when the fewest people are around".

According to the boar group, the cull has driven boars out of the forest to the more populated areas which is worsening the problem.

Recently, the wild boars have dug up land in the search for food around Coleford and Ruardean and the Forest Hills Golf Club.

The Forestry Commission has also said it plans to cull 100 boar between September and January and is a third of the way through its target.