IS the Beast of Ryedale also roaming York?

A five-foot-long animal that looked like a black panther was reported by Nikki Winterburn and Katie Ibbotson at their home on Lilac Avenue, Hull Road.

Since their story appeared in our sister paper, the Evening Press, further sightings have been reported, on Wigginton Road and on the A1237 near to Acomb.

Ronnie Ronaldo from Acomb said he was driving to work at John Smiths Brewery last summer and spotted the 'panther' on the A1237 as he was heading towards the A64.

He said: "It was about 5.30am and it ran across the road. It was massive. I was sure it was a panther. It had a really long tail. It looked like it was chasing something."

York pensioner Madeline Sutton said she spotted the animal when she was riding her moped on Wigginton Road.

She was heading towards the hospital when the animal appeared from trees 50 yards in front of her. She watched it cross the road and go into some fields at the other side.

She said: "There is no way that it was a dog, it was a panther. At the time I was not frightened; I was just completely shocked."

Patricia Atkins says she spotted the giant cat as she was driving near to Kiplingcotes Station, near Market Weighton.

Patricia, 21, who lives in Goodmanham, said: "We were driving home when I saw what I thought was a large black fox carrying a hare. It was about 200 metres away. It was my mum who said 'you cannot get black foxes'.

"We both sat and watched it as it carried the hare to the side of the field. We were there for about 15 minutes."

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday, April 14, 2004