EXCLUSIVE: The mystery of the big cat roaming in the area has resurfaced – with two sightings reported this week.

A man who spotted a big cat near to Hopwas Woods is appealing to anyone else who may have seen the creature to come forward.

Teacher Paul Thompson says he spotted the animal as he travelled through Hopwas towards Whittington one evening a couple of months ago.

He said: "It was just beginning to get dark and a large black cat ran across in front of my car from a bridle path into Hopwas Woods.

"It was so quick it made me jump. It was all black, about the size of an Alsatian but with a longer tail.

"I am just curious to know if anyone else has seen it?" he added.

● Have YOU seen a big cat roaming the area? Email helen.machin@cintamworth.co.uk

* Tamworth Herald, July 2, 2009, edition.