THE alleged sighting of a big cat last weekend on Bournemouth's West Cliff brought memories flooding back for Branksome woman Carol Lewis.

Two years ago Carol came face to face with a large dark brown cat as she walked home from the beach along Alum Chine.

"I'm convinced it was a puma or panther, with huge paws and a very long tail. It was definitely too big to be a domestic cat," said the retired nursing sister.

"Thinking about it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I was very close to the animal when I spotted it coming towards me.

"I didn't move because I was petrified.

"It veered away and stopped before leaping over a hedge and out of sight. I heard the cat purring twice. It was very loud and sounded more like a deep growl. I am not a fanciful person but I am still certain it was a big cat."

Last weekend police also received reports of a big cat at a Hurn industrial estate and wildlife officer PC John Snellin revealed how horses had been spooked by a black cat in a field, north of Wimborne, about three weeks earlier. An hour later there was a similar sighting about ten miles away.

Angela Rattley, 25, claims she saw a big cat when she looked out her home window at Holt Wood, Wimborne, several weeks ago.

"I screamed for my father to come and take a look but by the time he arrived it was too late and the animal had gone. It was massive. There was no way it was a big dog or domestic cat.

"My brother Andrew was terrified when he spotted the animal the next night sitting in the road as he drove home. Despite both of us seeing the big cat dad still doesn't believe us."

One of the most recent sightings comes from Diane Newton, of Milburn Close, Westbourne.

She saw a big cat prowling behind garages near her home at around 1am on Wednesday morning.

"It was a huge black cat," she said. "It was his eyes that attracted me, they were not normal cat eyes."

First published: August 26