Experts to tackle islands' cats

There are about 40 animals living on St Martin's

An attempt is being launched on Friday to tackle colonies of wild cats roaming the Isles of Scilly.

A veterinary nurse and a volunteer from a cats protection group are flying to the islands.

They are hoping to introduce measures to control the increasing feral population.

The biggest colony of feral cats on the Scillies is on the off-island of St Martins. There are currently about 40 animals living on the island.

Training local people

The colony was reported to staff at the Truro branch of Cats Protection by a worried holidaymaker.

Karen Varker from Cats Protection, together with a veterinary nurse, will assess the best way to deal with the creatures.

Four traps have been sent ahead of them and they are hoping to train local people to use the traps so cats can be transported to St Mary's to be neutered.

The operation, called Project Scilly Ferals, will take place during the winter when cats generally do not reproduce and when there are fewer tourists.