TWO black panthers have been spotted on the outskirts of Trowbridge.

Two weeks ago, Brian Knight, 62, was driving his mother-in-law home at 11pm when he saw the cat-like animals along Westwood Road.

He said: "I had just rounded a bend and my lights shone on two beasts; one was on the grass verge and the other one was on the road.

"We had to swerve to miss them and if my mother-in-law had opened the window she could have touched them."

Mr Knight describes them as having muscular bodies with pointed ears and long tails.

He said: "I've never seen anything like it before. I don't drink and I'm not on drugs. It was quite shocking, but people just think I'm a silly old sod.

"My mother-in-law is still talking about it and she is sure we saw some big cats."

Mr Knight is now taking a camera everywhere he goes just in case he sees the mystery animal again.

The Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News has set up Panther Watch in a bid to catch a big cat on film.

We are offering the person who takes the best photograph of the animal in Wiltshire the chance to win a family pass to Bowood and a year's subscription to the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News.

If you have managed to take a photograph of the mystery beast, please contact us on (01225) 352484, or email wtimes@newswilts.co.uk.