Original headline: Big cat sighting could be puma
A large cat - described by one witness as a black panther - was spotted in Telscombe Cliffs this week.
A woman called police on Wednesday lunchtime when she saw a panther-like beast on the prowl about 100 yards away in a field north of Telscombe Cliffs Way.
Police searched the area and found no trace. However, officers called in Trevor Weeks, of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue Ambulance Service, for his expert advice.
While on the trail of the cat a shocked Mr Weeks also spotted a creature as he approached Telscombe Village. He said: 'I saw something across a field which appeared to be larger than a fox of badger. It was jet black in colour and disappeared into shrubs. I am completely baffled as to what it was.'
Peter Harwood, a resident of Telscombe Village, was able to shed more light on the mystery. He told the Express a puma-like creature had been seen several times in the area during the past couple of years and had run in front of his car.
He said: 'I would describe it as a puma. It was a massive blacky-brown coloured cat, about the same size of a large collie.' His mother had also spotted the cat in the village while dog walking
