EXPERTS say there is "little doubt" that big cats such as panthers, lynxes and pumas are indeed roaming the countryside, following a massive increase in sightings.

A study by the British Big Cats Society (BBCS) has revealed that in the past 15 months there have been an astonishing 2,052 sightings - the equivalent of four a day - compared with a mere 438 in the whole of 2001.

In a county league table, Yorkshire recorded the third-highest number of sightings, with 127 reported between January 2003 and March this year.

The study findings will be a vindication to a number of Evening Press readers, who have reported seeing large panther-like creatures roaming parts of York and the surrounding countryside.

Nikki Winterburn and Katie Ibbotson described seeing a 5ft-long cat at their home on Lilac Avenue, Hull Road, and another eight people have subsequently come forward with a similar description.

Ronnie Ronaldo, of Acomb, said he was driving to work at John Smiths Brewery in Tadcaster, when he spotted the panther-like cat on the A1237 as he was heading towards the A64.

Bob Adams, from Acomb, saw a big cat crossing the A1237 York outer ring road near to the A19 roundabout on Sunday.

York pensioner Madeline Sutton said she spotted the animal about a year ago when she was riding her moped in Wigginton Road. She was heading towards the hospital when the animal appeared from trees 50 yards in front of her.

The BBCS has now called on Government ministers to back a full UK-wide scientific investigation into sightings of big or exotic cats in rural Britain.

Its study unearthed video and photographic evidence, plaster casts of paw prints and reports of attacks on horses and sheep.

The society said the evidence showed there was "little doubt that big cats are roaming Britain".

The society's founder, Danny Bamping, said: "The evidence has been growing and is increasingly clear.

"We are now going to approach the proper authorities to ask for their support in undertaking a properly-funded scientific study on the big cats in Britain."

The survey recorded 231 reported sightings in Scotland, 141 in Kent, 127 in Yorkshire and 102 in Wales.

But observations were not limited to rural areas, with seven recorded sightings of big cat activity in London during the period.

The society's website, where sightings can be reported, is www.britishbigcats.org

Updated: 08:33 Wednesday, April 21, 2004