READERS left hundreds of comments on our Facebook pages on the story about the possibility of big cats such as leopards roaming the Cumbrian countryside.

A freedom of information request to Cumbria police revealed that they had received nine ‘big cat’ sightings in the county since 2016. But Sharon Larkin-Snowdon, who is the administrator of Big Cats in Cumbria Facebook page, said that number is higher in reality and she had received at least 12 reports over the last year.

Opinions varied, especially on the picture accompanying the article, which was taken from the Big Cats in Cumbria Facebook page. The image was taken in Cumbria and could be a Caracal, though quite a few of you think it is a domestic cat or large cat breed.

Sarah-Louise Donoghue said: “It’s most likely a Maine coon or Norwegian forest cat – they can be massive.” Sammy Devine: “Just looks like a Savannah cat to me.”

Chris Scott said: “I saw one running across the road on Stainburn bypass in Workington, with a big black tail. No-one believes me.”

Lewis Jordan Quinn agreed: “They are about – they are massive the one we saw on the way to work.”

Ian Shalapata said it could be a Scottish wildcat that has come down from Scotland.”

Miriam Whitsey said: “The UK used to have bears, large cats and wolves. I say introduce them again – let’s get the ecology going properly again.”

Gary Graham said: “When it was made illegal to keep big cats in the UK, I think in the 70s or 80s, a lot of them were just let loose by owners angry at the ban.”