THE LATEST tales of the big cat said to be roaming the area have prompted yet more people to come forward.

Last week we reported how the cat had been spotted in Bluebell Woods in Polesworth and several readers have noticed large prints which they think may be those of a panther-like creature – but others think are dog paw prints.

This week, a reader who wishes to remain anonymous, reveals the moment he believes he heard the mystery big cat in Drayton Bassett.

Another reader, Jason Coggins, believes he saw the big cat drinking from a pool at a fishery near Atherstone.

Jason told the Herald: “A couple of weeks before Christmas I paid a visit to a friend of mine who was fishing at the Riddings Fishery in Grendon.

“As I was walking around their specimen pool I could see something in the reeds drinking from the water of the next pool along known as the Crucian pool.

“I stood and watched what I’m 100 per cent sure was a panther, for a couple of minutes before it turned, walked across the bank and disappeared through the bushes and out of sight into the adjoining field. It was out of range of the camera on my phone, and obscured by bushes so I was unable to get a photo.

“In no way could this have been a dog of any sort, but then the same week in the Herald, there was a story of a sighting near Wood End, which is only a couple of miles away.”

Tom Everitt owns Riddings Fishery at Grendon.

He said: “I think it’s quite plausible that there could be a big cat in the area, but I have never seen anything.

“We do have a black Alsatian which drinks out of the pool – it may have been that which was seen.”