Scientists in China have embarked on a programme to clone one of the world's most endangered animals, the giant panda, within five years.

In a process known as trans-species cloning, researchers hope to breed panda cubs artificially by planting a panda cell into the egg of another animal species.

Correspondents say it is an increasing sign of the desperate measures China is prepared to take to safeguard the future of the panda, which is notoriously reluctant to reproduce.

Much of the panda's natural habitat has been destroyed, and only one-thousand animals are left in the wild.