FEARS of big cats stalking the New Forest have been rekindled after a dog walker spotted a panther-like creature at Marchwood.

Sharon St John was in a field next to Saints training ground in Staplewood Lane when she caught sight of a jet black cat prowling close the edge of woodland.

"It was about four to five feet long and it was certainly no pussy cat," said Sharon, of Lloyds Avenue.

"When I first saw it I thought it was a bin liner because it was so black, but then it started to move and as it turned sideways I could see all its muscles rippling as it walked."

The creature disappeared into dense woodland and Sharon lost sight of it. She estimated to have been about 60 yards from the animal when she spotted it at around 7pm on Sunday.

"It didn't seem to notice me at all and was like something you see on a wildlife programme."

She told her husband of her encounter and a search was made of the woods with the help of friend Paul Wilton. They found a single large footprint in a ditch close to the last sighting of the animal - but the hunt otherwise proved to be fruitless.

"We could hear branches breaking off and in the distance something was moving in the undergrowth," said Paul, of Marshfield Close, Marchwood.

"The print was left by a large animal and I'd not seen anything like it before."

The incident is the latest in a number of reported sightings of big cats in Hampshire. Some animal experts have put it all down to over active imaginations - but others believe there could several big cats at large across the county.

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