Hexham MP Guy Opperman this week received assurances from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment about the proposed reintroduction of lynx in Kielder Forest.

In a letter from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, it was confirmed to Mr Opperman that Secretary of State, Michael Gove, will make the final decision on the application made by the Lynx Trust to reintroduce the big cats to the area.

Mr Opperman has led a long campaign against the reintroduction of lynx to Kielder, and was reassured to hear that the Department fully understand the concerns of Kielder residents and that any decision would be taken very carefully.

Mr Opperman said: “I am glad to have this clarification from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I will continue to work hard to ensure that the people of Kielder – who are the ones who will be directly affected - are listened to on this issue.”