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.