Plans to reintroduce lynx to some northern parts of England have been opposed by councillors.

Northumberland County Council has backed a motion that it would not support any application to release the big cats into the wild, although a final decision rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Eurasian lynx was hunted to extinction in the UK about 1,000 years ago, and campaigners argue the species should be reintroduced to north Northumberland to help control roe deer populations and improve the ecosystem.