Big cat spotted in field near Great Witley and Martley

Geoff Thompson, 37, had pulled over in a layby on a country lane between Great Witley and Martley in Worcestershire.

The YouTuber and classic car enthusiast stopped to take photographs of his beloved classic Renault 10 - when he noticed something strange in the distance.

He then spotted a large feline shape lurking in the field behind the car on April 14 - and then investigated and found its prints.

Geoff, of Worcester, said: “I just went out for a sunny drive - I noticed it as I started photographing my car. I think it was a panther.” 

In the 24 second video, filmed on his mobile phone, he can be heard exclaiming, “What the heck is that animal?!”

Geoff, who runs the popular YouTube channel Geoff Buys Cars, attempted to track the animal and record evidence of its tracks.

He said: “I saw this mystery animal so I'm going to take a stroll down this field and see how much mud there is at the bottom. 

"The ground is very wet so if there are any prints or anything we'll see them.

SPOTTED: The motorist believes this is a panther-like big cat he saw near Great Witley and Martley (Image: SWNS)

“There's no dog walkers there's no one it's early in the morning no one's around no one at all.

“Big cats have always been a bit of an obsession, fascination of mine since I was a kid so to actually see something odd while out and about is pretty funny in my book."

He got in touch with big cat researcher and filmmaker, Tim Whittard, who produced the award-winning documentary ‘Panthera Britannia Declassified’, which claims to prove that big cats are living in wilderness of rural Britain. 

Tim, 38, of Gloucester, shared the video with other experts.

PRINTS: Geoff Thompson believes he has found the big cat's prints in the field in Worcestershire (Image: SWNS)

He explained: “I have had some of my colleagues look over it and while we can't definitively say it was a big cat, the possibility remains on the table. 

''It absolutely could have been a big cat.

“Consensus seems to suggest that the majority of the tracks photographed are more likely to be dog than anything else, so whilst the tracks do not yield positive proof, the video of the sighting itself is very organic, very natural and we can't rule out a cat.” 

This is not the first time big cats have been seen in the area and numerous people commented on Mr. Thompson’s video to report their own experiences. 

One said: “I've seen a black cat in that area about 10 to 15 years ago.” 

PICTURES: Geoff Thompson noticed what he thought was a big cat while he took pictures of his classic car. (Image: SWNS)

Another added: “There are big cats out there… 

"Seen one about 20 years ago about 100 yards ahead of me. 

"Lucky for me, I was in my car at the time.” 

One said: “I'm going with panther... A friend tracks them in Wiltshire, I've seen similar photos, telephone poles with scratches on, height indicates big cat. 

''Personally I saw something panther-like in Wiltshire one night drive. Can't be sure but will never forget the tail.” 

The award-winning documentary about big cats in Britain, called ‘Panthera Britannia Declassified’ is available to buy and rent on Prime Video and Apple Movies.