[Scarlett.]

A hunt has been launched after police received reports of a lion on the loose in a Belfast park.

The animal was said to have been seen in Cavehill Park - only a short distance from the city's zoo.

But police said later that keepers had checked all cages in the zoo and all the animals were accounted for.

A police helicopter is scouring the area from the air and officers were deployed on the ground.

A spokesman said: "We are taking this seriously, there have been a string of calls about sightings."

A statement from police headquarters said: "Police in North Belfast are warning the public to be aware of sightings of what appears to be a lion in the Upper Hightown end of Cavehill Park.

"Police are currently responding to the incident and would urge the public to avoid the area.

"Anyone who thinks they may have seen the animal should not attempt to approach it."

MSN