THIS year's cull of wild boar in the Forest of Dean is likely to see the highest-ever number of animals killed.

The cull started in September and will run until the spring to 'control' the number of feral wild boar which is estimated to be around 819, the Forest Council's overview and scrutiny committee was told.

Meanwhile, Lydney Town Council has warned that making a local play area 'boar-proof' could mean other projects, such as installing new play equipment, might have to be deferred.

The Forestry Commission's Deputy Surveyor, Kevin Stannard, said: "We are well on our way to getting our highest cull yet but we will probably fall short of the logical target of 419."

He told the Forest Council's strategic overview and scrutiny committee the overall target population for the boar would be 400 and that a thermal imaging survey in the spring had indicated 819 of the animals in the area.

He said: "If you take one from the other you get a logical target of 419.

"I don't think we are going to achieve this given our progress so far but we will certainly bring in the highest number yet."

Mr Stannard said he expected that by the end of the year the number of boar killed in road collisions would be about the same as last year when some 43 of the animals died.

He said: "Last year the number of feral wild boar killed on the road that Forestry Commission staff handled exceeded the number of deer for the first time and we expect to see that pattern repeated."

There are also plans to set up a boar management group similar to the deer initiative which brings together private landowners.

He said: "They are exploring with landowners in this area about whether there is merit in setting up a similar group for feral wild boar so there is more control of feral wild boar in the wider landscape beyond the public forest estate."

Mr Stannard also said that Worcester University had been commissioned to carry out social research into the impact boar might be having on communities.

The research is looking at the effects of feral wild boar in the community such as public safety and the financial aspects of having feral wild boar."

•Lydney Town Council has said it is looking at what can be done to prevent boar damage at Primrose Hill mesne.

Chairman of the council's amenities committee, Cllr Brian Thomas said: "To completely fence the mesne would be a costly solution which is complicated by the fact that Lydney Town Council does not have title to the land."

The council says work to establish the legal position and solutions is ongoing but the unexpected cost of boar-proof fencing means that other projects such as new play equipment will have to be put off and Council Tax might have to go up.