ALLOTMENT holders are after a greedy pig's bacon because she's been running amok in Wantage.

The pesky porker has been pigging out on home-grown vegetables in Stockham Park allotment since October - clearing out an estimated two tonnes of the root vegetables.

Inspectors from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) have urged the public to help find her a home because some people are calling for her to be shot.

The stray sow - believed to be a Gloucester Old Spot - is often seen at the allotments before she trotters off "home" to an empty barn in a field close to the West Site of King Alfred's Community and Sports College.

The pig has munched through all the parsnips, carrots and cabbages growing in the 41 allotments.

Allotment holder Mick Sutton, 71, said: "It has left a great big hole in some of the allotments and all the parsnips are gone. There has been a lot of damage. We do not want her shot, there is no need for that."

Bob Turner,72, of Stockham Park, said: "She has eaten everything.

"All my parsnips are gone and I'm not very happy because we love parsnips. They normally would have kept us going until Easter.

"We can't really laugh about it now, we are paying £17 per year for our rent and all my vegetables are gone."

One retired allotment holder, of Stockham Park, who did not want to be named, said something had to happen to the pig soon.

He said: "The council should put up a big fence to keep the livestock out. It is a lot of hard work keeping an allotment and I feel like not bothering with it now."

Another stray boar has also been seen in the area, although locals are unsure of what it looks like or what condition it is in.

Sharon Chrisp, an RSPCA inspector, said: "The female pig is in good condition as she has access to water and has been helping herself to meals by way of vegetables and other food from the allotments.

"This is not an acceptable situation for the pigs and the allotment holders are understandably upset about the damage to their crops to the extent that some people have suggested the pigs should be shot, which we are desperate to avoid.

"We have made enquiries but we have been unable to discover where this pig or pigs come from.

"If the owner cannot be found, then we are looking for someone who has porcine experience who would be willing to offer these pigs a suitable home as pets."

Anyone with any information about the owner of the pigs, or anyone who is willing to offer them a home, should contact the RSPCA Cruelty and Information line on 0300 1234 999.