A strange-looking animal which caused a huge debate about its identity has been spotted again - this time in Walmer.

And despite speculation it could have been an otter, polecat, mink, weasel or stoat, experts have now confirmed it is a hob ferret.

The black creature, which was spotted stealing fish from a pond in a Deal garden on Friday, has now been seen at Marke Wood Park in Walmer.

The unusual animal sent Facebook users into a frenzy after mum-of-one Samantha Simmonds posted a picture of it at about 8.30am on Friday, asking if anybody knew what is was.

According to a KentOnline poll, 64% of voters were convinced it was a mink, while 10% said polecat, 5% said ferret, 3% said weasel and 2% said stoat.

Miss Simmonds said: “We’ve had experts round who have confirmed it is a hob ferret. It has a white bib which can’t be seen unfortunately as yet.”

She thought the animal, which took a liking to the fish in her pond, could have been living in her shed for a couple of days.

She set three humane traps out in her garden on Friday but by Saturday morning it had still not been caught.

Then at 7.15am this morning, Susan West, of Hanover Close, Deal, spotted the creature in Marke Wood Park.

She said: “It’s jet black.”

“Where it went to I haven’t got a clue. It was running around by the tennis courts. It ran out onto the path on Dover Road and we lost sight of it.”

Social media user Debbie Harmes said she has also seen it.

She said: “I saw the animal the other day on the London Road. It was early in the morning and not much about. I was driving and thought I had been mistaken and that it was a cat.”

Miss Simmonds added: "We still haven't caught it. We don't think he's been back since Friday after we tried to catch him."

Have you seen the hob ferret? Email eperkins@thekmgroup.co.uk or call 01304 365526.