BIG cat researchers, led by a Bolton-born photographer, say they are a step closer to unravelling the mystery of the Beast of Bodmin.

The British Big Cat Society (BBCS), which was formed earlier this year by former Thornleigh Salesian College pupil Daniel Bamping is proving a huge success.

They have already been able to investigate 150 new reports of panthers roaming the British countryside.

Mr Bamping, a film maker and deep sea photographer, aims to provide evidence and information for police and government organisations.

He claims that panthers have even been sighted as close to Bolton as Rivington.

The panther-like animal was spotted in the Rivington moorland area in 1998. Kim Patterson, from Bolton's branch of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "We would not dismiss the idea entirely because it is in the realms of possibility, but it would take some proving.

"However, there are a lot more exotic pets being kept these days, so it may be true. But we have not been told of any sightings."

Mr Bamping launched the BBCS website this summer.

He said: "It has allowed the public to come forward with their sightings or encounters, knowing that they will be taken seriously and they will be investigated.

"The society now has more than 200 members. Since its launch eight months ago, it has recorded more than 150 sightings of big cats.

"These have included an attack on a horse in Devon and a unique sighting from six people at the same time reporting a puma 'sunbathing' for several hours in Wiltshire."

Mr Bamping, aged 32, now lives in Devon, but still has family in Bolton.

He added: "One of the reasons that the BBCS came into existence was due to the fact that the public had no UK-wide organisation to report what they had seen and be taken seriously.

"Now, it's almost as if the flood gates have opened. We have been overwhelmed by the response.

"Some of the reports date back to the 1970s and 80s."

Last year alone there were more than 250 reports of big cats reported in the UK -- and even an incident of an 11-year-old boy being attacked by a black leopard on the Welsh borders.

Next year, the Bolton man is hoping to raise money to buy "trigger cameras" which can be placed in the wild to catch exclusive pictures.

The society is currently looking for sponsorship to buy the unique camera systems, which cost around £300 each.

"These cats are so secretive and elusive that it seems the best chance of getting a clear photograph of one of them," added Mr Bamping.

"The public want to see a close, clear and conclusive picture. It may take 10 weeks, it may take 10 years, but we are willing to give it a go."

The British Big Cat Society can be found on the internet at www.britishbigcats.org