AN abundance of acorns in the New Forest means an ancient custom is being extended this year.

Pannage season will go beyond its usual 60 day period because there are so many acorns this year.

It was due to end on November 12 but will be extended beyond December 17.

Pannage is an ancient custom that is still used today by New Forest Commoners, who turn out their pigs into the Forest during the season.

Bruce Rothnie, deputy surveyor at the Forestry Commission, said: “Pigs do a vital job of eating many of the acorns that fall at this time of year – acorns are tasty for them, but poisonous for the ponies and cattle that roam the area freely.

“This autumn is a bumper year for acorns in the New Forest.

"Oak trees have produced more acorns than usual, one of nature’s mysterious events known as ‘masting’.

"This is a natural phenomenon where some tree species produce very large crops of seeds in some years, compared to almost none in others.”

It’s not known exactly why mast years occur, however they have been linked to various causes over the years, including weather and climate.

Weather and climate can certainly affect fruit and seed production, and as we had such a mild winter and a warm spring it made the crop rather early this year.

However, certain trees do go through cycles of mast years, beech for example produces a mast year every five to ten years.

For more information about the New Forest go to: www.forestry.gov.uk/newforest.