'Big cat' sightings on Prince William and Kate Middleton's island

Rex

Sightings of a big cat roaming the land in Anglesey have been reported by local farmers.

The 'panther-like' animal has been spotted on the island where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have lived since their wedding in April.

Local farmer John Hughes claims to have seen it eight times, the last when it attacked his rams. He told the Mirror: 'It was biting its neck. I shouted and then it ran off. I've seen it jump hedgerows with ease – no ordinary cat could do that.'

Another witness, Richard Carter, says there have been many sightings over the years, and believes the animal came from an old zoo in the area.

Prince William and Kate rent a white-washed cottage on the island, where William is a helicopter rescue pilot based at RAF Valley.

The royal couple's presence on the island has given Angelsey's tourism a huge boost.

Mike Thomas, from Anglesey's tourism and marketing office, told the BBC at the time of the royal wedding in April: 'Our budget is quite limited - we probably only spend in the region of about £30,000 year on year.

'We physically couldn't buy half of the publicity that's gone out at this time so in terms of that it's fantastic, it's what money can't buy.

'We have been lucky with this. We've had a 300% increase in the number of unique users coming to our website.

'In terms of tourism, some of our businesses are reporting a 20% increase this year.'

Travel expert Simon Calder also voted Anglesey the number one place to visit in Britain for 2011.

Just beware of the big cat...

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