Thanet is the top place to spot a big cat in the county according to new statistics from a Kent expert.

There were 21 sightings of big cats in Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate in 2008, with most sightings centering around Birchington.

Although Medway and Maidstone were most active the sightings there stretched over several miles. Thanet covers a smaller area, meaning the chances of catching a glimpse were increased.

Rochester man Neil Arnold has conducted 20 years of research into big cat sightings in the county and put together the breakdown of sightings ahead of the launch of his new book.

~ Listen: Hear Neil Arnold tell of the rise in sightings of big cats >>>

Mr Arnold said: “Although other places have more official sightings I think Gravesend is a good place to spot these big cats.

“The only problem we have in collecting this research is there are so many sightings that are not reported.

“In September cameras were set up by myself and the BBC in the hope of filming the black leopard on Sheppey.”

In all there were 184 sightings in 2008. The last sighting of the year was of a black leopard at Birling, sighted on December 21 near the village at 2pm.

Despite many sightings around Medway, the famous 'beast' of Blue Bell Hill was responsible for only half of the 26 sightings, according to Mr Arnold.

To see the sightings in your area, click and hold on the relevant paw in the graphic above

In April Mr Arnold had his own sighting of the Blue Bell Hill leopard in broad daylight at Hempstead.

His new book Mystery Animals of Kent will be published at the end of the month. Anyone who has seen a cat can call Mr Arnold on 01634 830384 or visit www.kentbigcats.blogspot.com

What to look out for (see pictures above):

Black leopard - around four-to five-feet long, jet black, with a very long tail.

An official 'big cat' because like the lion, tiger and jaguar it can roar. Each year black leopards make for around 73 per cent of exotic cat sightings throughout Kent.

These animals are also known as the 'black panther' although this is merely a folkloric word. Black leopards are the same as normal spotted leopards and a black cub can be born from two spotted parents. However, two black parents can only produce black offspring.

Sightings of such cats date back around six centuries in the county

They prey is rabbit, livestock, pheasants, pigeons, deer. They are only a threat to humans if cornered, injured or provoked.

Puma - fawn/tan colour with white underside and a long tail.

Native to the USA and Canada it can reach five-feet in length. It is not counted as a 'big cat' because it cannot roar, only scream.

Instead the puma is the largest of the Lesser Cats.

Lynx - varying coat colour from sandy to reddish, silvery-grey to brown, often mottled. The lynx has large tufted ears and a short bobbed tail. It was once native to these shores a few thousand years ago. It hunts smaller prey but can also hunt deer and livestock.

Jungle Cat - also known as Swamp and Reed Cat. Native to parts of Africa and Asia it is a sandy-reddish coloured cat, able to breed with the domestic cat. It hunts rats, mice and rabbits.