THE black panther-like creature roaming the York area has been spotted again - this time by a terrified security guard.

Paul Keeling, 40, pictured, was patrolling the grounds of Queen Margaret's School at Escrick when he came face-to-face with the giant cat. It was about 2.40am when Paul picked up the cat's eyes in the beam of his powerful security torch.

Paul, of Huntington, York, said: "I did my usual sweep with the torch and caught these eyes as the animal came out of a wooded area.

"I thought it was a deer at first, but when I started to really focus on it, I realised they were cat's eyes. I held the cat in the beam for about 30 seconds and I'm certain it was a panther. I thought: 'Oh my God,' but, fortunately, it turned tail.

"It was terrifying and by the time I got back to the office, I was shaking.

"It's quite daunting when you're on your own and I kept thinking, what if? If you get attacked a mobile phone is not much good."

Paul said he used to work on the rides at Flamingo Land and during his lunch break would visit the zoo animals.

He said: "I've seen plenty of big cats and I'm sure this was a panther. After returning to my office, I rang our control room and then informed the police."

Earlier this month Matthew Davies, of Bishopthorpe, and his cousin, Glen Bates, were driving along the A19 just outside York when a panther-like creature came from nowhere and sniffed the tyres of their car as they drove slowly past it.

A similar giant cat was spotted crossing the A1237 York outer ring road near the A19 roundabout and one was seen by a motorist on the A1237 towards the A64.

In April, pensioner John Berridge claimed to have spotted a huge black cat outside his neighbour's home, in Acomb; while Kevan Holmes, 48, of Skelton, said he saw a panther-like creature while walking on the bridleway between Skelton and Rawcliffe.

Ian Hardcastle, of Huntington, said he also spotted a giant cat, near Wheldrake golf course.

Updated: 10:11 Friday, May 28, 2004