Sightings of big cats around the UK have hit the headlines in the newspaper silly season - with one paper even dedicating part of its website to the search for local "beasts".

The Kent Messenger Group's website is leading the hunt for the elusive creatures by urging readers to report any sightings to the man behind Kent Big Cat Research, Neil Arnold, 'The Catman'.

With the 'beasts' of Bodmin and Exmoor still ranking in many minds with the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot, so Kent Big Cat Research joined with Kent Online to encourage witnesses to come forward and report their sightings.

The site also has information on different types of big cats, updates on the latest sightings and tips for readers if they see a strange creature.

Readers logging onto the site are told: "You have seen the headlines about huge cats prowling the Kentish Downs, reported glimpses of strange creatures slinking through the woods, snatched photographs of animals too large to be domestic moggies.

"Is it true? Are imported beasts of prey roaming Kent's countryside?

"And what do you do if you think you have seen one?"

Meanwhile, the Derby Evening Telegraph has also been reporting on the search for a big cat which "has appeared in fleeting glimpses before people across Derbyshire but has evaded capture for almost a decade".

The 4ft long, 2ft tall animal with a 2ft tail has been spotted in 10 different locations across the county since 1992 and a recent report by Derbyshire police into sightings of the creature claims it does exist.

PC Tony Umney said: "I have no doubts whatsoever.

"I have spoken to several people who have seen it and they have often been able to describe it well.

"It could live for up to 20 years and there is a possibility that there are more than one of these animals out there."

Has your paper been running any big cat stories? Ring 0116 227 3122, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk