NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has written to Natural England raising concerns about the increase in wild boar populations following the death of a Royal Wootton Bassett man and says he nearly hit one of the creatures himself while driving.

Raymond Green, 47, was killed at about 6.30pm on Monday after a wild boar struck his car as he drove down the middle lane of the eastbound M4 between junctions 17 and 16, then collided with a lorry.

Although incidents of boars running in front of traffic are very rare in this part of the country, it is thought the animal may have come from the Forest of Dean.

Mr Gray said it was not the first time the animals had caused traffic trouble.

He said: “I am becoming increasingly uneasy about the number of wild boar sighted in and around North Wiltshire, and was so saddened to learn this week of the death of my constituent Raymond Green who was killed in a collision with a wild boar which had somehow strayed on to the M4.

“These animals can wreak havoc on our countryside by digging up graveyards, gardens and grass verges.

"People are increasingly worried that the wild boar population is now out of control and constituents of mine in Box and in nearby Corsham have spotted them recently.

"I myself narrowly missed one recently near Didmarton.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to Monday’s incident. Anyone with information is asked to call PC Mark Cargill via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.