A group that wants to reintroduce lynx to Britain needs £50,000 to get the project off the ground.

The Lynx UK Trust plans to introduce the big cats on a single estate in either Aberdeenshire or Northumberland.

The proposal has received widespread public backing but concerns have been raised by farmers and landowners.

A final decision on where the trust will launch the pilot scheme is expected to be made later this year.

Lynx UK Trust fundraiser Katherine Johnston, said: "As well as community support, we need funding to make this happen. We hope that our vision of rewilding inspires people to support our work.

"A small donation now can lead to a transformative impact on our rural economy and the nation's biodiversity for generations to come."

Lynx were wiped out in the UK more than 1300 years ago and Britain's surging wild deer population has been attributed to a lack of natural predators. They tend to avoid human contact.

A public survey of 9000 people found 91% supported a trial reintroduction.

An independent report focusing on two potential pilot sites in Northumberland and Norfolk found the reintroduction of lynx could be worth £67.7m to the economy over 25 years, largely through tourism.

Lynx UK Trust director Emily O'Donoghue is also the director of Wildcat Haven, a conservation group which recently became involved in a high-profile spat with Scottish Natural Heritage.

They also share a chief scientific adviser, Dr Paul O'Donoghue, who said: "Lynx reintroduction has a vast potential to bring ecotourism money into local communities.

"It's been an incredible success in Germany and we really think the lynx will more than pay its way both through tourism but also critical ecological services like helping to control deer, allowing forest regeneration."