A LARGE cat has been spotted "bounding up and down" a residential road in Hook.

The puma-type animal, described as being of a light colour and about five feet long, was seen by Roger Griffiths as he left his house in Hazel Coppice.

Mr Griffiths said: "I had just got in my car when I saw a large animal bounding up Oak Tree Drive and into Hazel Coppice.

"It then retraced its steps, and I next saw it a few moments later at the junction of Reading Road.

"It was absolutely enormous - a type of animal I'd never seen before. It looked totally out of place.

"It was a light, camel-like colour, had a small head, a powerful body, and a long, smoothly curved tail. It was lolloping and galloping, but its movement was not graceful -more dog-like than cat-like.

"It didn't seem to notice me, but I'd imagine it would be a frightening thing to come up against. I was just glad I was in my car."

Mr Griffiths said he was on his way to a meeting when he saw the animal at 11.30am on November 29, and it had slipped his mind for a couple of weeks.

Geoff Culbertson, Hampshire Constabulary's wildlife crime officer, said: "It sounds like a puma. There have been a number of such sightings in north Hampshire over the past year, so there is a probability they exist in the area.

"We have also had sightings of black, panther-like creatures.

"This sighting seems unusual because it was during the day, and in a residential area. Most occur at night in the countryside. However, it depends on what it was doing - the need for food could have taken it away from its area.

"My usual concern is that people may try to shoot these animals, because it would startle them.

"My advice would be not to approach them, nor run away. If you do that, it might instigate the animal's natural instinct which would be to attack."

Mr Culbertson said he is always keen to hear about new sightings of big cats. He can be contacted on 0845 045 4545.