MORE people are coming forward with accounts of black panther sightings in Wiltshire.
Warminster town councillor John Syme saw a cat-like beast as he was driving along a road near the town.
A black animal appeared in front of his car then leapt across the road, disappearing into Longleat forest.
He said: "I was on Frome Road at about 5am in the morning and a huge black cat appeared 75 yards ahead of me.
"It took three bounds and disappeared from sight. I didn't stop to get a better look. I just dropped down a gear and went."
RSPCA animal carer Adam Rogers, of Elmdale Road, Trowbridge, saw a large footprint in Southwick Park earlier this year.
He said: "Back in the early summer I was walking my dog. I was off the beaten track when I noticed my dog had become very interested in a patch of tall grass.
"I went over to see what it was.
"The grass wasn't cut but had been flattened. I saw a huge paw print in some dry earth. I was sure this print could not have been made by a dog."
Mr Rogers also heard a low growling noise coming from the hedgerow.
He said: "Being an animal lover I have watched many a nature film and I am in no doubt that the noise was made by a big cat of some kind.
"I have told many people, yet none of them believed me. Only when your article came out have people started to believe what I saw and heard."
The Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News has set up Panther Watch in a bid to capture the mystery beast 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 seen the panther or have a photograph of the mystery beast, contact us on (01225) 352484 or email wtimes@newswilts.co.uk.
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