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BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)<br />
Pic: Graham Hunt/BNPS<br />
<br />
A pig walking along the verge next to the B3079 near Brook.<br />
<br />
Hundreds of pigs have been let loose in the ancient New Forest national park to gobble up fallen acorns which are poisonous to other animals.<br />
<br />
The quirky tradition involves swine roaming the Hampshire woodland to clear it of the fruit which can be fatal to the famous ponies and cattle.<br />
<br />
Commoners released their herds today marking the beginning of the annual event known locally as Pannage.<br />
<br />
They will spend 60 days rummaging around the 70,000 acre forest before being rounded up in November.

BNPS.co.uk (01202 558833)
Pic: Graham Hunt/BNPS

A pig walking along the verge next to the B3079 near Brook.

Hundreds of pigs have been let loose in the ancient New Forest national park to gobble up fallen acorns which are poisonous to other animals.

The quirky tradition involves swine roaming the Hampshire woodland to clear it of the fruit which can be fatal to the famous ponies and cattle.

Commoners released their herds today marking the beginning of the annual event known locally as Pannage.

They will spend 60 days rummaging around the 70,000 acre forest before being rounded up in November.