'Nobody believed us when we said that we'd seen big cat'

FOLLOWING reports of 'big cat' sightings printed in the Observer's sister paper, the Tamworth Herald, Sutton couple, Adam McMeeking and Suzanne Eddy, have broken their silence on an unusual sighting at the beginning of the year.

Suzanne said: "On January 31 my fiancé and I both spotted a very large black cat across the road from our first floor flat in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield.

"It was 11am on a good, clear day and the cat was moving quite peacefully in the long grass on the farmland about 50 metres away from us. At first we thought it was a large dog, possibly a Rottweiler, but as it was in view for two or three minutes, there was no question, with the long tail, pointed ears and catlike walk it was definitely a 'big cat'.

"Initially we couldn't believe that none of the passing cars had spotted it – but from ground level, the thick trees and bushes made it impossible to see, even during winter when the trees were bare.

"Unfortunately, after taking several photos, none could compare to what we actually saw, so naturally nobody in the hospitals where we work believed us. "Despite keeping a close eye on the location where we sighted the animal we haven't seen it again," she added.

"But, interestingly, in the same spot we have seen foxes, rabbits and a black domestic cat – but not for a second did we think that these animals were 'big cats'.

"The farmland across from us links up with acres and acres of countryside so it's quite possible that the cat has headed north, keeping away from our more urban surroundings.

"A couple of times we came close to writing to the local papers, but as we couldn't even convince our work colleagues, we saw no point."

Anyone who has spotted 'big cats' or has any information related to the Walmley sighting is urged to contact the Observer newsdesk on 0121 355 6061.