PIGS will roam the New Forest for an extended period due to the large amount of acorns that have fallen across the district.

The Verderers' Court confirmed the 36-day extension last week, which means the pannage will now run into December.

Having started on September 14, the established exercise will last until December 21.

The move was announced by Forestry England's deputy surveyor Bruce Rothnie.

A spokesperson for the authority said Mr Rothnie had made this decision due to the "the large quantities of fallen acorns in the New Forest this autumn".

The pigs are released onto the Forest to eat the fallen acorns, beechmast, chestnuts and other nuts that are on the forest floor, which are poisonous to New Forest ponies and cattle.

Each year, there are around 600 pigs and piglets that are released around the New Forest to make their way through all of the acorns and nuts.