A 'big cat' has been spotted prowling through countryside as the founder of a cat group urges people to keep their eyes peeled for the large predators.

Mandy Acres, one of the founders of the Evesham and Villages Big Cat Group, revealed the latest sighting of a big cat had been near Harvington in Worcestershire.

The 37-year-old believes it is only a matter of time now before someone provides conclusive proof their existence in the county. 

She said in a comment in the group: "My cousin has just informed me she has seen a big black cat this morning by Harvington.

"I'm not advocating any time of hunting parties of course but keep your eyes open and you may be lucky enough to spot it too."

SPOTTED: A 'big cat' spotted in the British countryside  (Image: SWNS)

The revelation comes after a spate of sightings of big black cats and 'panther-like' predators in the wilds of Worcestershire throughout the year.

Membership of the Evesham and Villages Big Cat Group has continued to grow with 856 members at the last count, fuelled by a recent spike in sightings. 

Mrs Acres said she did not believe it would be long before they had 'solid, indisputable proof' that big cats were living wild in Worcestershire. 

Recent sightings over the summer have centred on reports of a black panther and a lynx stalking along the Worcestershire and Gloucestershire border.

But other sightings have been described in the Evesham group after Martin Burford revealed two of his own close encounters.

GRUESOME: The remains of a lamb possibly killed by a big cat on the Worcestershire Gloucestershire border (Image: Supplied by Martin Burford)Members have also shared other evidence of big cats, including the carcasses of prey and footprints.

Even experts have not ruled out the possibility of the big cats roaming through the remoter parts of the county, including the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. They just say more conclusive proof has yet to be found.

A National Farmers Union (NFU) spokesperson has also said farmers are keeping 'an open mind'.

However, he says more evidence would need to be made public before their existence in the British countryside, including here in Worcestershire, is accepted.

Mrs Acres said: "Immediately I thought “oh, the farmer has put a black sheep in the field” then the animal turned and started to run away from me, which made me think “someone’s black dog is loose!”

"It wasn’t until my car had got 20 yards side on to the animal that I saw it was 1,000 per cent a big black cat.

"The gait was the same as a cat's not a dog's, it was roughly the size of an Alsatian dog, the head and ears were smaller in comparison to the body but the tail which was thick, as long as the body and in a fixed low bend position which made me immediately realise “oh my god it’s a big cat!”

"Within seconds it was gone. That side image is ingrained in my head and I am very sure I know what I saw."