FEAR of big cats in the Cotswolds has been re-ignited following the revelation of two confirmed sightings in the Forest of Dean.

New information revealed under the Freedom of Information Act by the Forestry Commission has confirmed two reliable sightings of large cats.

Gloucestershire police believe there are pairs of the animals living in the Forest and the Cirencester area.

Wildlife and environmental crime officer, Mark Robson, who documents sightings said the Forestry Commission's evidence was credible.

"Gloucestershire Constabulary gets around 100 sightings a year from members of the public. Most of these are at some distance, it's very rare to have a close encounter," he said.

Rangers spotted the creatures on two separate occasions during a deer survey using thermal imaging cameras.

Both were found at night using heat-activated night vision equipment.

The first sighting was at the edge of Churchill Inclosure east of Parkend in February 2002 and the second was in Staple Edge in March 2005.

Danny Bamping of the British Big Cats Society said: "I knew about this three years ago when I had a phone call from the Forestry Commission. Their thermal cameras showed a large feline which could not be explained.

"I think it is good that people in authority are admitting the truth. It is time the government admits that these cats exist in Britain and they are a threat to livestock and to humans."

A survey by the British Big Cats Society reported well over 2,000 suspected big cat sighting across the country between 2004 and 2005.

Last year a big cat was spotted in Siddington by a Tesco worker and dozens of residents have also claimed to have seen something similar over the years including former CDC chief executive Bob Austin.

Mr Bamping has had reports of at least 23 sightings in the Cotswolds.

If you suspect you've seen a big cat you should contact the police on 0845 090 1234.