BIG-CAT expert Danny Nineham says the freshly-killed carcase of a sheep found by two visitors is further evidence of a large predator in the area.

Two brothers, Dale and Neil Ivall from Slough, were visiting their aunt and had been using a metal detector in dense woodland last Monday when they came across the sheep.

It was lying at the base of a tree and its throat and stomach had been ripped out. When they got back to their aunt's home she rang Mr Nineham who went out to inspect the remains.

Mr Nineham told the Review it was a typical big cat attack. After a thorough autopsy it was found the sheep was around two years old and it had been attacked late in the afternoon in very dense woodland.

It had been killed by a typical bite to the throat which crushed its neck.

The carcase showed puncture wounds made by large, sharp canine teeth.

"The ribs had been picked almost clean by a big cat's carnassal teeth which act like scissors," said Mr Nineham.

"Then their small incisors are used in conjunction with the chewing muscles to remove small bits of meat from bones.

"This yet again is proof to me that big cats are roaming the Forest of Dean.

"This case will add to all the other mounting bits of evidence in my files to prove the existence of big cats in this country."

•If you have a big cat sighting let us know at the Review, 01594 841113, or ring Mr Nineham on 844182.