ANOTHER sighting of a large black cat has added weight to the idea that there is a breeding population of predatory felines at large in Cumbria.
In what was the 12th reported sighting this year, Penrith man Jeremy Godwin said he had seen a "big" black cat near Kirkby Stephen.
He reported seeing the large animal on the Smardale Mill Road before it moved off unhurriedly down a field at about 1.45pm on Monday.
The black cat encounter is the first in the area reported to The Westmorland Gazette and the exotic animals register since a sighting at Shap in 1999.
More recently, the creatures have been seen around Oxenholme, in the central Lakes at Windermere and Coniston, and near Dalton-in-Furness, although there have been numerous sightings across the county over the years.
Bristol-based black cat specialist Terry Hooper, who compiles the exotic animal register, believes the volume of sightings means there could be four black cats - probably panthers - roaming the Lake District.
He believes proof of Cumbrian black cats is not too far away.
"I think it's only a matter of time before someone catches one on film."
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