Has the Preston Park Panther been on the prowl?

A big black cat – estimated to be almost 2ft high - was seen in the Ditchling Rise area of Brighton on Sunday.

Clare Calder spotted the animal, which she said was about twice the size of a normal cat, in her back garden.

At first she thought it was just a large house cat but after taking a closer look realised it was something different.

The 18-year-old said: “I was shocked and quite surprised.

“I was just pouring myself a glass of water and suddenly saw what I thought was a cat jumping down into the garden.

“It went behind a bush and I thought maybe it’s not a cat.

“It was walking along the garden and it was very big, far bigger than any cat I had seen before.

“I have a Yorkshire Terrier and she is quite big but the cat looked much bigger than her.

“It had very yellowy eyes. It was not really fluffy and didn’t think it was one of the big fluffy cats.”

She said the day before her normally boisterous pet had been “spooked” by something in the garden.

Big cat detective Charlie Bones, who researches sightings in East Sussex, said he believes this animal has been seen in the area before.

Have you seen a large cat in Brighton and Hove or anywhere else in Sussex? Call Rebecca Evans on 01273 544511 or email Rebecca.evans@theargus.co.uk