Feral cats will be neutered in efforts to save the Scottish wildcat.

Scottish Wildcat Action (SWA) will trap cats in areas where the species is known to live, neuter them, and return them to the wild.

Conservationists hope it will stop inter-breeding and prevent the spread of diseases among the wildcat population, which some experts believe may number fewer than 100.

SWA said no cats will be harmed unless they are put down because of illness and insisted pet cats are not at risk.

The group will focus on "priority areas" in the Angus Glens, Strathbogie, Aberdeenshire, Strathpeffer, Easter Ross, Strathavon, Moray, Northern Strathspey and Morvern, and Lochaber.

SWA manager Roo Campbell said: "The chief threat to the wildcat is interbreeding with domestic cats, many of which are feral.

"Many wildcats in Scotland already contain some domestic cat ancestry and wildcats will continue to lose their wild identity if this is left unchecked.

"Scottish Wildcat Action is committed to reducing the risk of interbreeding between wildcats and feral cats.

"The best way of doing this humanely is by trapping, neutering, vaccinating and then returning feral cats.

"We were delighted last week to announce that during our initial, extensive survey our 347 camera traps had found 19 Scottish wildcats - with the likelihood that more are out there.

"As we now focus our attention on the trapping phase of this five-year project, our activity will mean a greater chance that a kitten born next spring will have wildcat parents."