More than 50 big cats in the county, says expert

Frank Tunbridge, a big cat expert and tracker, believes there are at least 50 of the mysterious cats in the county.

The Gloucestershire tracker says big cats are becoming less wary of people. (C) BBC News

"Some of the deer's I've found were killed in a way that only a big cat would take down its prey," explained Frank.

"So, when I get a feasible report I travel to where the alleged sighting took place and set up a camera to look for evidence."

Here are just some of the alleged sightings reported to Frank last year:

November: A large lynx like cat was spotted by Dunkirk Mill, Nailsworth.

Whilst taking an afternoon stroll adjacent to a cycle path a man claimed to see a big cat with pointed ears.

It was dark brown, around the size of a small labrador with a striped rear end.

The man said he had "never seen anything like it" and was amazed.

Frank believes the sighting fits the description of a lynx. Picture: Tomi Tapio

October: A large cat stopped to stare at a man near Hope Mill in Chalford.

On a dark evening (6.30pm) a man was taking his new mattress home on his bike, but he stopped when he noticed what he described as a "big black animal".

It stopped to stare at the man before slinking off in a cat like manner.

Again, he said he was "amazed" by what he had seen.

July: This cat was spotted drinking from a broken water pipe in France Lynch, Chalford.

At 8.30am a woman walked into her garden and saw a dark brown animal with a long-hooked tail.

She thought that the cat must have been searching for water due to prolonged heatwave.

The woman said she "was not surprised as she had heard about them being in the area."

Her neighbour claimed to have seen the same cat that morning.

June: Whilst on a date at a campsite near Nailsworth, a couple both saw a huge black cat with a large hooked tail.

It was 9.15pm and they spotted the animal ten metres from them near a footpath whilst it was stalking prey.

They watched it stop with a raised paw, one of them said they were "in awe after getting so close to such a lovely animal."

There were several reported sightings of large black cats last year

December: Another black cat about the size of a labrador was spotted by a woman driving through the Slad Valley.

Whilst driving past The Woolpack Inn, Slad a woman saw a cat like creature with a long tail - apparently it was not a dog.

She claims it ran alongside her car before it cut across the bank just before midnight.

"This is just a small selection of the sightings that have been reported to me," added Frank.

"Parts of Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean seem to be ideal territory for these big cats, which I believe are almost certainly breeding in the area."

If you have seen a big cat and want to share your story, you can call Frank on 07711 476715, or email franktunbridge@hotmail.co.uk