Two decades after the area was gripped by reports of a big black cat roaming nearby woods and fields, there's been a new report of large wild cat seen in East Suffolk.

But while the earlier reports were of a black panther-like creature nicknamed Claws, this time there is a claim that a lynx has been seen in Kirton near Felixstowe.

The creature was spotted by science teacher Nick Charles who was househunting in the village with his wife and young child.

He said: "We were looking over the cottage and I looked out of the kitchen window into the garden and saw it.

"It was quite big - but it moved like a cat, it was nothing like a dog. I called my wife and she saw it as well."

Ipswich Star: Some living in Kirton have reacted to reports of a lynx around the village.Some living in Kirton have reacted to reports of a lynx around the village. (Image: Paul Geater)

Ipswich Star: Was a lynx seen in a Kirton garden?Was a lynx seen in a Kirton garden? (Image: Archant)

Mr Charles and his family are moving to the area from London and he said that as well as being a science teacher he had a keen interest in wildlife and conservation and was fairly confident about what he had seen.

He said there was some evidence of feathers in the garden - but they could have been there some time and could have been the victim of a fox or bird of prey.

Ipswich Star: Fields and woods around Kirton would offer cover - but local residents are doubtful about the reports.Fields and woods around Kirton would offer cover - but local residents are doubtful about the reports. (Image: Paul Geater)

However within the village itself, there was scepticism about the claims.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Believe me, if anyone had seen anything like this it would have been all around the village, and this is the first I have heard of it."

Local parish councillor Julie Durrant is an animal-lover and shared the scepticism: "I haven't heard anything like this and if there was something out there I'm sure we would know about it.

"I'd want to try to find it to report it to the RSPCA to ensure it was safe."

Eurasian Lynx live across the two contents from Scandinavian forests through to isolated areas in the Asian far east.

They are believed to have become extinct in the British isles about 1,300 years ago - although there have been proposals to reintroduce them in remote areas of northern Scotland.

The WildEast group has also suggested that in the very long term they could be reintroduced to parts of East Anglia - but at present there is probably not enough wild space for them to thrive.

The medium-sized big cats prey on small deer, rabbits, birds, and foxes - almost exclusively in forests and are very difficult to see.

There are none in East Anglia's zoos - the nearest on show is believed to be at Whipsnade Zoo on the Dunstable Downs.