There have been many wild sightings of big cats in the wild but a recent one has sparked claims at least one is loose in Wiltshire. 

Geoff Thompson, 37, had pulled over in a layby on a country lane between Great Witley and Martley in Worcestershire when he saw a 'panther-like' big cat in a field. 

He even tracked down its paw prints left in the field and demonstrated how big they were next to his hand and his keys.

The YouTuber and classic car enthusiast stopped to take photographs of his beloved classic Renault 10 - when he noticed something strange in the distance.

He then spotted a large feline shape lurking in the field behind the car on April 14 - and then investigated and found its prints.

The video of the sighting was posted online and prompted many to comment that big cats were being tracked and spotted in Wiltshire. 

One said: “I'm going with panther... A friend tracks them in Wiltshire, I've seen similar photos, telephone poles with scratches on, and height indicates a big cat. 

''Personally, I saw something panther-like in Wiltshire one night drive. Can't be sure but will never forget the tail.” 

Another said: “I've seen a black cat in that area about 10 to 15 years ago.” 

But was the sighting that Geoff who runs the popular YouTube channel Geoff Buys Cars recorded actually of a big cat? 

To find out he got in touch with big cat researcher and filmmaker, Tim Whittard, who produced the award-winning documentary ‘Panthera Britannia Declassified’, which claims to prove that big cats are living in the wilderness of rural Britain. 

Tim, 38, of Gloucester, shared the video with other experts.

He explained: “I have had some of my colleagues look over it and while we can't definitively say it was a big cat, the possibility remains on the table. 

''It absolutely could have been a big cat.

“Consensus seems to suggest that the majority of the tracks photographed are more likely to be dog than anything else, so whilst the tracks do not yield positive proof, the video of the sighting itself is very organic, very natural and we can't rule out a cat.” 

Geoff, of Worcester, said: “I just went out for a sunny drive - I noticed it as I started photographing my car. I think it was a panther.” 

In the 24 second video, filmed on his mobile phone, he can be heard exclaiming, “What the heck is that animal?!”