The British Big Cats Society (BBCS), set up to compile evidence that such beasts live wild in the country, called for a government-run scientific study of population numbers.

Unveiling the results of its own 15-month survey which recorded more than 2000 sightings, the society concluded that there was "little doubt that big cats are roaming Britain".

"The evidence has been growing and is increasingly clear," BBCS founder Danny Bamping said.

"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."

For many years there have been reports that large, feral wild cats such as pumas have been living around Britain, most commonly in the temperate Devon and Cornwall regions of southwest England.