I WAS walking with my children in the grounds of the old Netley hospital, outside the wall of the then derelict former asylum, around 1988. 

The path turned a corner around the wall and there was a breach in the wall where some of the brickwork had collapsed.

I glanced in and there about 9 yards away, sitting upright, facing me, and staring at me, was a large white animal!

At first I thought it was a dog because of its size, but it had slanting eyes and pointed, upright ears.

We stared at each other for a good few seconds, then suddenly it got up and turned and loped away. That’s when I realised that it was a cat! 

I have never forgotten that moment, and have always wondered if anyone else has ever seen it?

Mobile phones weren’t around then, in the form they are now, so I couldn’t take a photo.

I’ve searched the internet for big cat sightings etc, but no luck. This was before the building was taken over to become part of the police training centre.

If there is anyone out there who either saw or knew about this cat, I’d love to hear! 

Dawn So, North Wingfield, Derbyshire.