SIGHTINGS of the Ashwell big cat have been flooding into The Crow office this week. Following our story that a panther or puma could be on the prowl in the area, we have been inundated with people claiming to have seen the beast. Carol Godfrey, of Baldock

SIGHTINGS of the Ashwell big cat have been flooding into The Crow office this week.

Following our story that a panther or puma could be on the prowl in the area, we have been inundated with people claiming to have seen the beast.

Carol Godfrey, of Baldock Road, near Ashwell, got in touch after reading that Shaun Nealon and Simon Smith had claimed to have seen the mystery creature walking along the railway track, near Kingsland Road, Ashwell, while out searching for a fishing lake.

She said: "I was walking my dog near Gatley End when I saw it late last year. I saw this black thing running through a corn field, and then it jumped up, and I thought, what the hell is that?

"It was definitely a big cat of some description - I think it was hunting in the field. I didn't go back down the track for months because I was so afraid."

Brenda Nightingale, of Station Road, Steeple Morden, had an encounter a bit closer to home when she spotted the beast near her house.

She said: "I don't sleep very well, and at about 1.30am I heard something outside. I looked out of the window and there was a black animal on the drive of my neighbour's house.

"At first I thought it must be a dog, but then when it moved you can tell it was a cat, and it had a long tail."

Rebecca Willers, from Shepreth Wildlife Park, said: "Panthers and pumas have very long tails, so that's a good way to identify one if you think you've made a sighting."

A cat has also been sighted near Buntingford.

Eric Warren, of Greenways, Buntingford, saw the animal "running in a crouched position" across land at the back of Edwinstree School last Tuesday evening.

And Sheila Beetles, owner of the Farm Fresh Country store in Hare Street, got a shock when she caught sight of the creature "stalking across the fields" at the back of the shop.

Have you seen the big cat? Call 01763 244977 or email news@royston-crow.co.uk