David BaleReports of big cat sightings in the Norwich area have flooded in since the Evening News revealed that a large black cat-like animal had been spotted by a motorist off the A47.David Bale

Reports of big cat sightings in the Norwich area have flooded in since the Evening News revealed that a large black cat-like animal had been spotted by a motorist off the A47.

Phil Grimes was driving eastbound on the single carriageway A47 from Norwich when he saw an animal in a field about 200 yards away off the road near North Burlingham, on Friday, May 28.

He said the animal had a heavy, thick tail, looked like a black leopard, and was about the size of a German Shepherd in height, but had a longer, distinctly cat-like body.

Since then eagle-eyed readers have told us their own stories of seeing big cats and providing more evidence that Norfolk is a hot spot for sightings.

Ten-year-old Ella Jennings said she was walking with her family along the A47 at Cringleford on Easter Sunday when they spotted a big cat.

She said: 'It was between 6pm and 7pm when we could see a black figure in the grass.

'It stood still as if frozen and then ran behind a tree. We then moved back and spotted it again.

'Dad was going through all the animals it could be. The creature appeared to be too big to be a normal cat or dog although it did move like a cat. We all wondered if it was some kind of big cat.'

Alan Cunningham was driving from Norwich on the A47 about three weeks ago and had just crossed the Brundall roundabout.

He said: 'Laying on the freshly cut grass verge to my left, just before the slip road for Shack Lane, was a larger than domestic size black cat.

'What first grabbed my attention was the size of its front legs and paws as it was laying on its right side facing the oncoming traffic. I'm fairly certain it was a Monday morning about 7am and the cat laid there for at least three days.'

Meanwhile, Ted Mobbs, from Taverham, spotted a big cat near Reepham Fisheries last September.

He said: 'I was fishing and I was startled by a medium sized speckled, Lynx-type wild cat.

'I kept very still as it passed by at about 12 to 15 ft. Its ears were long and very pointy.

'I estimate it to be between 30 and 40 inches long, with a thick ringed-type tail. It was not a domesticated animal and looked like a well-fed killing machine.

'A few weeks later the owner of Reepham Fisheries said a nuisance otter they had, had been killed recently. I wonder?'

If you have seen the mysterious big black cat in Norwich, let us know and send a photograph to david.bale2@archant.co.uk.