A BIG black cat has been seen prowling around an area which is home to several schools and colleges.

The cat, thought to be a black leopard or panther, was spotted in the grounds of Oakwood Park, Maidstone - where Mid Kent College, Kent Institute of Art and Design and several schools have campuses.

Security guard Richard Stephens was on patrol when he saw the big cat in a car park at about 1am on Wednesday, April 20. He reported it to Big Cat expert Neil Arnold, who runs Kent Big Cat Research, an organisation which collects sightings of the animals.

Mr Stephens, from Gravesend, told Mr Arnold: "It was a drisly night and I was going to return to my hut but decided to check one specific area.

"As I rounded the corner, under the glow of the car park lights stood a black cat, around 6ft in length, with fur like velvet."

Mr Stephens said the animal glared at him, crouched down and bolted up a bank.

The cat had a long tail and stood 2ft at the shoulder. Mr Stephens followed it, but it disappeared into the trees.

Mr Stephens added: "I wasn’t scared of the animal which is why I followed it. It appeared to be healthy and quite young."

Mr Arnold said: "The cat may well have been hoping to pick up a meal - a fox, rabbit or rodent."

He said the animals were seen "weekly" in the Maidstone area.

A motorist saw a similar black creature emerging from a wood in Coxheath Road, West Farleigh, in January. Another sighted several times in the Blue Bell Hill, Aylesford and Snodland areas has been dubbed the Beast of Blue Bell Hill.

"Sightings of such animals around the Maidstone area are pretty common," said Mr Arnold.

"There have been sightings of black leopards dating back several centuries from Tovil, Loose, Blue Bell Hill, Teston, East Malling, West and East Farleigh."

If you see the cat, contact Mr Arnold on 01634 302572.