IS this the paw print that proves there is a big cat roaming around Derbyshire?

For years, rumours of a sleek black animal stalking the countryside have been rife but there has rarely been any proof.

The three-inch wide print was discovered in Wirksworth by farmer Peter Ward after his calves crashed through a metal gate and were found cowering in a nearby field.

Mr Ward later found these muddy traces on land near where he kept the cattle and he believes the print belongs to a puma.

Days later, a couple in nearby Whatstandwell reported seeing what they thought was a big cat.

Mr Ward, 55, of Barrel Farm, Millers Green, said: "I had gone out in the morning to see the calves, only to find the gate bent down and the animals cowering in a field nearby.

"The gate was quite robust so they must have been really spooked to run through it.

"I had about 24 calves in the field and found them all huddled together in another field across the road.

"They were obviously distressed and initially I thought it must have been dogs but, when I found the paw print, I knew it must have been something else.

"From the research I have done, I think the markings are similar to those of a puma. I have compared it to my own dogs and it is nothing like that.

"I must say the idea of an animal like that prowling around makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck."

Mr Ward found the paw print on January 19 and also reported it to the British Big Cats' Society.

The second sighting of a large black cat stalking cattle in fields near Longway Bank, in Whatstandwell, was reported to Derbyshire police on January 26.

Kenny Watson, owner of the King's Field pub, in Derby Road, Wirksworth, said he had heard people talking about the sightings.

He said: " There have been sightings of it for years but no real proof. I'm yet to be convinced but that is one big paw print."

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police said people reporting sightings of big cats were referred to the British Big Cats' Society.

No-one from the society was available for comment last night.

Dr Michael Greenwood, assistant dean and head of school of science at the University of Derby, believes the paw print could be that of a large cat.

He said: "It would be a fairly large one, perhaps the size of a European lynx. It would be perfectly possible for this type of animal to survive around Whatstandwell and sighting of big cats are not uncommon these days."

The sightings come after a sheep was found with seven wounds on its back, along with a big gash on its neck, in December.

The ewe was discovered at Bowbridge House Farm, near Kirk Langley, and a vet who treated the animal believed that a big cat could have been responsible.