A HAMPSHIRE school has declared its playing fields a no-go zone after two sightings of a big cat fitting the description of a black panther.

Children have been told to stay close to the school building and staff are being extra vigilant at break times ready to bring pupils indoors at a moment's notice.

A teacher spotted the beast at 7.40am yesterday and watched it stalk around the school boundary as she arrived at St James Primary School in West End.

One of the school's neighbours had warned staff the day before that he had seen the panther-like animal prowling the school premises.

Head teacher Alec Smith has sent a warning letter out to parents.

He said: "The teacher saw a black cat which was bigger than a labrador and was walking in a slinky way.

"All of our teachers are well aware of the situation, they are all taking extra care.

"We are not letting the children out on their own, they will always be supervised. The whole field is out of bounds and they are limited to the tarmac area."

Parent Helen Robey, whose seven-year-old daughter Lauren attends St James, says parents are concerned about the beast. She said: "I drop Lauren off and pick her up so I know she is safe."

Lauren said: "I like the Pink Panther but I don't like black ones - especially when they're on the loose."

Police wildlife crime officer Geoff Culbertson warned that the animal would probably only become dangerous if people tried to catch it.

He said: "Their senses are 100 times better than our own so you probably won't get anywhere near it.

"But if someone tries to kill it and it becomes wounded then it is more likely to go for an easy target like a child."

PC Culbertson explained that sightings of big cats in the UK could be as a result of 1976 Dangerous Wild Animals Act that prohibits members of the public keeping them as pets.

After the legislation many owners simply turfed their exotic beasts out into the countryside to fend for themselves.

The sighting comes just weeks after police sharpshooters staked out a farm in Wales where a puma-like cat attacked and killed a dog.

HAMPSHIRE SIGHTINGS:

1981: Puma-type animals seen in Stanmore, Winchester.

1993: Large spotted cat, possibly a serval, seen close to railway lines at Ladycross near Brockenhurst.

1994: Sightings in Basingstoke, Preston Candover, Romsey and Abbots Barton, near Winchester.

1996: A large black cat is seen at Worthy Down, near Winchester, at Botley and in Totton.

1997: A puma-like animal is spotted at Norleywood, Marchwood and Dibden.

1998: A big cat "quicker than a greyhound" seen on the edge of the New Forest near Dibden. Four sightings in countryside near Fareham.

1999: "Massive, black cat" spotted near the Gordleton Mill Hotel, Lymington.