THE UK’s first boar grid has completed the defences against wild pigs at a Forest community centre and football club.

The grid at the main entrance to Yorkley Community Centre – which includes ramps to allow hedgehogs and other small creatures to escape if they fall in – was installed with the help of a £5,000 grant from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET).

Nearby Yorkley Football Club had installed boar-proof fencing with the help of a grant from West Dean Parish Council – but the animals were still getting through the main entrance to the community centre.

As well as making the football pitch unplayable, the boar also rooted up the recreation space at the community centre and scattered the contents of bins.

Centre spokesperson Sharon Freeman said: “Now that the whole of the perimeter of the recreation ground is securely fenced and gated, the committee of the community centre and users, the football club and players, and all of the residents of Yorkley would like to thank GET for the speedy financial help to complete the project to keep out the wild boar.”