ANYONE providing photographic evidence of a big cat rumoured to be roaming around Burford could be in line for a £1,000 reward from the Richard & Judy show on Channel 4.

Last night, the presenters offered the reward after hearing about sightings of the beast in Oxfordshire.

On Monday, the Oxford Mail printed a photograph of the so-called 'Beast of Burford' taken by Phil Buck, of Brize Norton Road, Carterton.

Mr Buck said: "It was a lot bigger than a domestic cat, and the way it moved looked a lot more powerful." A reward of £5,000 for its capture before Easter has also been offered by the Cotswold Wildlife Park.

A number of people have claimed to have seen a large beast in the countryside of West Oxfordshire during the past 15 years.

On Thursday, expert Danny Nineham, who collects evidence of big cat movements across the UK, will be visiting Burford to try to track down the animal.

Mr Buck said he had originally decided not to go to the Press with his picture of the big cat last September because he didn't want too much media attention.

And now that rewards are being offered, he is worried about the fate of the 'beast'.

Mr Buck said: "I just don't want it to be killed. I don't want someone going after it and trying to kill it.

"If it is captured that is fine, but I don't think it would harm anyone."