SIGHTINGS of the mystery big cat have been fairly regular – but one man contacted the Herald to say that he believes he heard the beast in Drayton Bassett.

The 40-year-old, who lives in the village, said: “I would like to share an experience I had back in December 2010.

“It was dark and early to mid-evening when I was walking my dog away from the village green, down Heathley Lane. I’d walked about 30 feet past the WI hut with some back garden fences to my left and Drayton Manor Golf Course to the left behind the chain link fence.

“It was a quiet evening with some light available once my eyes had adjusted to the dark. I heard a loud cat wailing sound for about four seconds, not a domestic cat as it was too deep and rich in tone, coming from some trees and bush approximately 25-30 feet the other side of the chain link fence. I couldn’t see anything but realised just how deathly quiet it was. Both me and the dog froze for a while, maybe a minute or two. The sound was just like the call of a wild cat.

“I was shocked, wondering what I had heard, carried on with the walk and heard no more and saw nothing but I will never forget the sound and how close it sounded.

“After seeing the comments from the keeper at Drayton Manor Zoo, I have realised that perhaps I wasn’t going mad and that what I heard that night was possibly a big cat.

“As I didn’t see anything, it’s too easy for people to ridicule, so I don’t want to give my name or address but I promise that I have not embellished anything here and have nothing to gain by making false claims

particularly so long after the event.

“I hope this helps build up a picture of whatever is out there.”