A BIG cat may have taken up residence just outside Malmesbury.

A number of residents have reported seen a puma-like creature in the same field in the last couple of weeks.

The Standard has been asked not to reveal the location of the field after a similar story in Wales last year resulted in dozens of hunters arriving with shotguns the following day.

One resident spotted the big cat on Monday, October 8, briefly but also saw it wandering around the privately-owned field opposite his front door for fifteen minutes on Sunday night.

He said: "It was jet black and looked like a puma or a panther. I would estimate it was 30 inches high and nearly four foot long.

"I knew straight away what it was. A small child could be taken away by this thing no problem.

"I had enough time to go upstairs and get my binoculars and camera. I was desperately trying to take a picture of it but because it was dusk the camera couldn't focus.

"It seemed very content in the field. It was just going about its business like it was looking for something to eat.

"My neighbour saw it as well that night and I spoke to a farmer friend of mine who said he had seen it around Hullavington."

He added that on Monday he received a text from a different neighbour who had also seen it again in the same field just after midday.

Danny Bamping, of the British Big Cat Society said: "If animals have shelter and food available and they are relaxed and don't feel threatened they can stay in the same place for quite a while.

"When big cats do move they can do 25 kilometres a night if they want to but they do have territory and they try and patrol them on a three-weekly or monthly basis."

Have you seen the big cat or managed to take a picture of it? Ring our newsdesk on 01285 627318.