A BIG black cat is believed to be stalking the Cirencester area again after a sighting in Chesterton.

At 00.55am yesterday, a woman and her partner, who wish to remain anonymous, spotted a big black cat on Cranhams Lane, Chesterton.

The pair, who were driving home from work, were unsure what the animal was at first but as their car drew closer, it became clear it was a big cat.

She said: "The animal was so big yet it managed to jump over the fences. Next to the area where we spotted it, there is a children’s playing field. I hope this animal doesn’t pose a danger.

"We were so shocked to see it and I know there have been sightings in the past."

In 2005, the Standard published a CCTV picture of a large black feline taken near Cirencester Hospital. Other sightings have also placed it close to Siddington.

The lady described the animal as "definitely feline", saying it was bigger than a labrador and black-coloured. She said it had no markings but a long tail.

Frank Tunbridge, a big cat expert, said on average there is one sighting every week in the Cotswolds.

He said: "I often hear of sightings in the Chesterton area. Just the other day, there was a sighting on the A419 near Cirencester.

"These cats are becoming more and more visible these days because they are looking to breed and so are crawling across the valleys. The other reason is the loss of greenery in the area, which means they are not so easily hidden.

"They are part of our British wildlife and at the moment, are not a threat to the public."