SIGHTINGS of a big black wild cat continue to be reported in the York area.

Acomb man Bob Adams says he and his wife spotted a panther crossing the A1237, near to the A19 roundabout, before it vanished into bushes on the York side of the ring road. "It was like a big black cat," said Bob, "but much bigger than an everyday, household cat. It ran right in front of us across the road. It was the first time I had seen one."

Pensioner John Berridge claims to have spotted the giant cat in early April outside his neighbour's house in Knapton Lane, Acomb.

He says he made the sighting at about 5.30am. "I couldn't believe it," he said. "It was eating something on a grass verge. I ran to get my camera, but I must have rattled the window with it, because it quickly ran off.

"It crossed the road within three giant leaps and disappeared into some woodland. It must have been five feet long. It was definitely not a domestic cat or dog. I just don't know what to think."

Kevan Holmes, 48, of Brecksfield, Skelton, claims he saw a large, black fox or panther-like creature while walking his dogs on the bridleway between Skelton and Rawcliffe. "Both my dogs froze when it stopped to stare at us. It snarled before running off. It could have been a panther, but it actually looked more like a big, black fox. It's a real mystery."

Ian Hardcastle, of Huntington, said he spotted a giant black cat on grass near Wheldrake golf course a few weeks ago. "I looked up and saw this huge big black cat charging across the grass and pouncing on something. It was Alsatian-size, possibly bigger, but it ran like a cat rather than a dog."

THERE is little doubt that big cats are roaming Britain.

That's the claim this week from the British Big Cats Society (BBCS) following a three-month survey up to March 4. In releasing its data, the society called on DEFRA and the home office to work towards undertaking a long-term UK-wide properly-funded scientific study.

Overall, there were 2,052 sightings reported to the BBCS throughout Britain (that's over four per day). Top of the league table of big cat sightings is Scotland with 231; Yorkshire is third with 127.

The BBCS said its data includes five reports on attacks on horses, over 30 incidents regarding sheep kills and several confirmed paw prints which have been found and plaster casts taken.

"Over a dozen bits of video footage have been sent to the BBCS and several of them are obviously not big cats - but some could well be. The problem with visual evidence is basically 'sense of scale' and until we go to these locations and carry out proper study of the areas they are in-conclusive."

In Lincolnshire, a hair sample was found at a location where a big cat was filmed and where police and DEFRA officials were called in, the BBCS reported. "The hair was studied and said to be from the big cat family".

In its report, the society said it has been told that a number of big cats have been caught or killed in the UK - this list now stands at 19 bodies and includes puma, several lynx and a number of smaller exotics.

The BBCS now intends to continue its research and focus on a 'trigger camera' project to prove and protect the big cats roaming Britain.

More information can be found on the group's website www.britishbigcats.org.

Updated: 14:32 Tuesday, March 08, 2005