The "ultimate weapon" in the battle against nuisance cats is lion droppings, according to a cat charity.

The Cats Protection League (CPL) says that rather than using harmful substances to keep the pesky felines away, a dose of droppings will do the trick.

Silent Roar, as the droppings are called, can be bought at garden centres and pet shops and are becoming a popular feature in gardens.

Chief executive of CPL, Derek Conway, told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We believe that Silent Roar is the ultimate weapon.

Wire mesh

"It's an unusual name but it does seem to be effective and will peaceably scare off cats."

Peter, a London home owner who does not want to reveal his last name for fear of reprisals, is willing to try anything - including lion faeces - to get rid of cats.

He has already turned his garden into a fortress of high fences and wire mesh as a result of the cats.

He said: "I've got them everywhere at the moment and its a big problem.

"I have got anything up to six cats regularly visiting the garden. They have dug up plants and flowers and scare the birds away so the slugs and snails are going on the rampage."

However if the idea of using Silent Roar is less than appealing, Mr Conway suggests more traditional methods such as orange peel soaked in peppermint or eucalyptus or weakened surgical spirits.