PARKEND church is the latest victim of the wild boar who have dug up ground in the graveyard.

St Paul’s Church, in Church Drive, saw wild boar damage a fence and knock the top off a wall before rooting several grass areas surrounding the graves.

Cllr Richard Leppington, a UKIP councillor for Blakeney and Bream on the Forest of Dean District Council, is calling for the council to arrange a meeting with DEFRA and other agencies to address the issue.

Cllr Leppington said: “I am really annoyed that this has happened. Wild boar have dug up football and cricket pitches in the past, but this is far more serious.

“The population of wild boar in the Forest of Dean has increased markedly in recent years, and UKIP councillors in the Forest have been making repeated calls for the animals’ population growth to be brought under control because of several incidents of damage to property in the district.”

District councillor Alan Grant (UKIP, Pillowell) said: “The graveyard looks more like a World War One battlefield than a serene and peaceful place.”

Cllr Grant said he was alerted to the problem last Thursday by a resident who tends to a grave of a relative. Church wardens and volunteers have tried to repair the damage and remind visitors to ensure all gates are securely closed to keep animals out.

Cllr Grant added: “West Dean Parish Council will be carrying out repairs to the perimeter fence and the stone wall. As a district councillor I receive many complaints from residents about boar damage to verges, gardens and sports pitches but this is the worse place possible.

“I can accept the Forestry Commission has a difficult task to control wild boar, but if they are intent on keeping the boar in the forest they must take the responsibility seriously. I think one option could be designated fenced areas in the forest where the boar can forage and roam. If it can be done in game reserves in Africa I am sure it could be done in the Forest of Dean.”

•Residents in a Cinderford road say wild boar are causing a nightmare.

An elderly lady, who lives in Woodgate Road, contacted the Review to say she witnessed a group of wild boar outside her home in the early hours of the morning knocking over black wheelie bins and digging up grass verges.

The woman, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “I went downstairs and noticed through the kitchen window a group of boar causing trouble. It has been an ongoing problem but this was the first time I’d actually seen them in action.

“I took a broomstick and shooed them away. The mess they cause is unbelievable.”

Ruardean United’s County Cup match against Painswick has also been hit by the boar.

The pitch at Ruardean is unplayable after boar rooted it up, so Saturday’s game will be played at Painswick.