MORE evidence has come to light that a mysterious puma-like beast is back stalking the fields and streets of Wyre Forest.

The large cat, which has become something of a cult myth in the district over the past eight years, has been sighted twice in the Spennells area of Kidderminster in the last week.

Police deployed a helicopter to search for the beast after it was spotted near the junction of Spennells Valley Road and Comberton Road at about 10.30am on Monday.

West Midland Safari Park head warden Bob Lawrence, armed with a dart gun, was also called out on the unsuccessful hunt.

The search followed another sighting in the same area on Wednesday, August 30, although nobody who saw the creature was willing to be identified.

Mr Lawrence said it was "probably" the same beast as the one which has been sighted many times across the district over the past eight years.

"Now every Tom, Dick and Harry will be out looking for it, and what happens is it gets scared off and reappears a couple of months later 10 miles away," he added.

A resident of the Offmore Farm area of Kidderminster, a few hundred yards away from the most recent sightings, spoke to the Shuttle/Times & News about her encounter with the beast at the end of June.

The woman, who did not want to be named, was unwilling to speak until she heard of this week's events.

She said: "It looked so lovely and so harmless.

"It was about 2am and out of the window I saw it come from next door's garden. It walked through the bushes, into my garden and then up the footpath.

"I was only a few feet away and I saw it clearly.

"It was black with a big, sweeping tail about two feet long and a round head. I would say it was about three times as big as a normal cat."

"It was kind of magic - I wanted to follow it. I didn't saying anything because I didn't want anyone out chasing it," she added.

The creature was also spotted in Bewdley in April this year after seemingly disappearing from the region following a spate of reported sightings three years ago.

Anyone who spots the creature should call Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.