Hunt for the 'Beast of Sedgemoor'

A team of dedicated investigators armed with night vision cameras is aiming to hunt down the giant panther-like creature, sighted so often in the early 1990s.

Conclusive proof of the Beast's existence has never been secured, but neither has a plausible explanation as to why so many people claim to have encountered it. A team of researchers from Channel Five's Big Cat Search is aiming to change that.

The trio travel the country searching for the elusive mammal and are now hot on the trail of Sedgemoor's very own family of sheep-murdering wildcats.

Researcher Mark James said: "A number of cats have been spotted in the Somerset area over the years and we are following up leads that a family of large black cats could be living in the Huntworth and Bridgwater areas.

"We have been contacted by a man in North Petherton who used to keep sheep and over the years has had lots go missing inexplicably, so much so that he's had to give up keeping them.

"We also know that there were a number of sightings at Enmore Park Golf Club."

A frenzy of fear and excitement gripped the town in 1992 when a young Cossington family was attacked in their car by a "huge black creature with massive teeth".

Days later, sightings were reported across the district of a black panther prowling fields in the area but despite countless attempts to capture the beast on camera, a clear picture of the animal in action has never been forthcoming.

Over the past decade, sporadic reports have been submitted to the Mercury - all claiming sightings of the cat in different surroundings at different times.

Mervyn Slocombe saw a wild cat at Enmore Park Golf Club in 1992.

He told the Mercury last week: "I couldn't believe my eyes. I was on the practice green and it ran past next to the hedge.

"The only way I can describe it is totally black and about the size of a dog - but definitely a cat."

Former club managing secretary Dave Weston said: "We took a picture of a paw print on the course next to a collie dog's paw print and it was four times the size. I'm certain it was on our course for about two weeks, but not seen since."

The most common explanation put forward is that large animals were released into the wild to be hunted for sport.

The team is hoping to air the first footage of the Beast of Sedgemoor but needs Mercury readers' help.

Mark went on: "We want people to keep their eyes open for any wild cat they see in the area.

"Last month we were in Weston searching the golf course there after people reported hearing a high-pitched roar which is how a panther reportedly roars."