Suspected big cat sightings have been made across the UK but now a local incident could see new rumours begin – about ‘the beast of Burley-in-Wharfedale’.

By his own admission, Brian Spence, of Langford Lane, has not heard any talk in the village before about large cats or any other strange animals being spotted.

But last Sunday his visiting son and daughter-in-law, Iain and Irena, returned from an early morning walk convinced they had spotted a large, black creature with cat-like features on Hag Farm Lane.

The couple have now returned home to Cambridge but Mr Spence decided to write to their local paper about the incident to see if anyone else has had a similar experience.

He said: “They were very determined that what they saw was not a normal cat because it was big – about the size of a labrador dog – but with pointed ears and a small tail. And they also heard this loud hissing noise coming from a thicket as they returned down Hag Farm Lane.

“I’ve not heard anything else locally, although you do keep hearing stories about these things, whether they are escaped pumas or not, around the country.”

l Have you seen or heard anything to support the Burley beast theory? Ring us on 01943 607022 or email reporter Jim Jack at jim.j@wharfedalenewspapers.co.uk.

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