My observation dates from ten years ago and at a point by the county boundary but that shouldn’t invalidate it.

At about 9.30am, from a northbound Thameslink train, I saw a very large black cat – probably a puma – ambling south through a small paddock, east of the line and south of the Gatwick car park, through which it must have passed.

The paddock, now heavily overgrown with briars and brambles, was then a haunt of rabbits so it was easy to see that the animal was at least four times their size – although none were above ground at the time.

Every time I pass that field I look out but it was a one-off sighting, missed by all in the carriage but me. I regret not noting dates and doing no more about it but I thought no one would have believed me.

Ralph Gee Henley Road, Brighton