Boar fleeing slaughter runs through supermarket

A wild boar entered a Co-op store in Gloucestershire yesterday and charged at a shop worker after escaping from a local stud farm.

A wild boar entered a Co-op store in Gloucestershire yesterday and charged at a shop worker after escaping from a local stud farm.

Police were advising residents of Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean, to be on their guard last night after the animal was spotted running through the town just after 9am. Witnesses last saw it running down St White's Road towards thick woods which form part of the Forest of Dean.

The boar, which was described as being the size of a labrador and does not have tusks, was earmarked for slaughter when it fled the farm where it had been raised. It entered the store and ran out when it spotted staff. "It was found in one of their fridges and charged a member of staff who was OK, but a little shaken," a Gloucestershire police spokesman said.

Store manager Bob Richens said: "Although this was very shocking for our staff, luckily no one was hurt.

"Around 12 members of staff actually saw the animal and although they were shocked at the time, they are beginning to laugh about it now."