Reports of panther-like creatures have been gathering momentum, with five across Cambridgeshire already this year.

Pc Paul Carter has begun plotting all the recent sightings from stunned eye-witnesses in the county, and hopes to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all.

His most recent information came from a couple in Isleham, near Ely, at 10pm, on August 26.

They said they had seen a black feline creature of knee height with a long tail which had a bulbous tip.

And on Wednesday, the Evening Telegraph reported how unflappable pensioner Jean Burton (75), of Oundle Road, Woodston, Peterborough, crossed paths with the so-called "beast of Bretton" while out walking her dog in Southey Woods.

Pc Carter said: "I have been fascinated by the possible existence of these creatures for many years.

"Since becoming a member of the Rural Community Action Team (RCAT) four years ago, I have heard many stories from locals about big cats prowling our countryside.

"I recently decided to plot these sightings on a map and monitor the reported activity.

"It would be wonderful to be able to prove or disprove their existence in Cambridgeshire once and for all."

The centre of reported big cat activity in the county is the area west of the A1 corridor from Sawtry, near Peterborough, to the Northamptonshire border.

The majority of reports to the police come from farmers who say they have had cattle and sheep attacked by a cat- like creature.

Descriptions vary from a large black panther-like animal to a smaller, brown spotted lynx-type feline.

Before laws were introduced in 1973 to control the import of exotic animals, cats such as the lynx and the puma were brought into the UK and kept as curiosities in private collections.

Supporters say these animals may have escaped or been set free and could still be surviving in the wild.

Pc Carter is now hoping witnesses will get in touch with their accounts to help build a picture of their possible movements.

Critics say people may have actually seen a variation of other animals known to exist in the wild, such as foxes, stray dogs or smaller feral cats.

Pc Carter said: "As most sightings occur after dark, it is possible that people's minds can play tricks on them.

"However, I have spoken to many people over the years who are absolutely convinced about what they have seen."

The sightings have also prompted the ET to throw down the gauntlet to readers – snap the beast and scoop £100 for charity.

One wag, calling himself Alan the Alien, sent in this spoof picture showing the panther on the roof of the cathedral.

He may not have won the prize, but it made us chuckle.

If you believe you have seen a big cat in the wild in Cambridgeshire, e-mail Pc Carter at paul.carter@cambs. pnn.police.uk