ANOTHER mysterious big cat sighting in Grafham has led to apprehension that there is more than one of the animals roaming around west Huntingdonshire. Keith Gowen, of Inhams Way, contacted The Hunts Post after he spotted what he believed to be a puma f

ANOTHER mysterious 'big cat' sighting in Grafham has led to apprehension that there is more than one of the animals roaming around west Huntingdonshire.

Keith Gowen, of Inhams Way, contacted The Hunts Post after he spotted what he believed to be a puma from his bedroom window on September 2 at 5.15pm.

He said the animal was walking close to the village's football pitch in the direction of Van Diemens Way.

Concerned for the safety of a group of children playing cricket nearby, Mr Gowan phoned the police.

The 65-year-old retired IT manager, who worked for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "You expect to see foxes but not a puma.

"The question must be asked on how safe are we in Grafham if this big cat is choosing to roam down the roads rather than the fields which circle the village"

Last week The Hunts Post reported how Steven Armstrong, a 53-year-old college lecturer from Halifax, had seen a big cat in Church Road, Grafham.

Both men described the animal as being a large sandy coloured Labrador that had a tail like a cat.

Just down the road - in Easton - an image of a 'small wild cat' was captured on a camera phone.

This has led to speculation that the cats are breeding in the area.

Jennifer Hyde, of The Lane, snapped what she believed was a young 'big cat' in a field behind her house at 3.40pm on Saturday (September 26).

She said: "I estimate it must have been about 24in high at the shoulder.

"There have been so many documented sightings of this animal that it must surely be breeding in the area. Perhaps this was a young one.

"It had some white markings at the back of its legs and stripes round the tail."

Mrs Hyde, who is retired and has lived in Easton for 24 years, said her main concern was that there is another predator with its eye on her chickens.

Although some people say the 'big cat' or Fenland Tiger is a myth, Cambridgeshire police take sightings seriously.

Pc Paul Carter of the rural community action team said the majority of sightings have been west of the A1 corridor from Sawtry to the Northamptonshire border.

Between September 1, 2008 and Tuesday (Wednesday 29) Cambridgeshire police had received 121 reports of big cat sightings.

Pc Carter said: "As these sightings are coming from all over the county it would suggest there is more than one big cat in the area and there are different types of them at various ages."

He added that people should not feel apprehensive as there had been no reports of any attacks.