A BIG Cat specialist is on his way to the Cotswolds after scores of sightings in the Cirencester area.

Danny Bamping, founder of the British Big Cat Society says he has received so many reports of big cat sightings in the Cirencester area he is now planning to carry out an expedition to the area in an attempt to gain hard evidence.

In the most recent sighting on Sunday evening, Watermoor resident Pauline Saunders saw a feline creature the size of a dog prowling the street.

Pauline Saunders, who lives in Kingsmead, had just seen her postman son off to work when she caught sight of the mysterious creature.

Through her half-opened door she watched it stroll along a row of cars under the light of street lamps before disappearing into the darkness.

Pauline said: "It came from under a car over the road and was at least four times the size of a normal domestic cat.

"I was watching it with the door open a bit. It just sauntered down the middle of the road as if it didn't care where it was.

"We have lots of cats down here and we see foxes occasionally but this was black and much bigger."

Recently the subject of big cats has been of hot debate following a series of sightings across the country, even in London.

Pauline added: "It wasn't quite as big as a panther but at least four times the size of a cat. It was quite frightening - it gave me goose-pimples."

The BBCS has been processing scores of sightings of unusual feline creatures in the Cotswolds.

Danny Bamping said: "I know the Watermoor area quite well because we have had quite a few sightings around that place.

"Cirencester borders on greener pastures, expansive fields and streams - if the cats get hungry they will take any opportunity to scavenge.

"But these cats can do 25-30 kilometres on one night if they want to so it can be quite difficult to keep track of them.

"We always look closely at all the data and many aren't genuine sightings, but there are still hundreds of people who undoubtedly see these animals.

"The Cotswolds is perfect for them and I hope to come down in the late summer."

For more information about the BBCS visit www.britishbigcats.org