IS a black panther roaming the streets of York?

That's what's got two city women in a real flap as they claim they came within a whisker of the deadly beast as it scoured their garden.

But the sighting has caused experts to "paws" for thought - with one rubbishing the claims and another confident the animal is just one of many on the loose.

Hairdresser Nikki Winterburn, 20, and Katie Ibbotson, also 20, made the sighting at their home in Lilac Avenue, off Hull Road.

"We were sitting watching telly when this massive cat appeared and stared at us from the garden through the French windows," said Nikki, who works at N12 Hair Design, in Feasegate, York.

"We were really scared - it was bigger than a Labrador. I called the police, but I don't think they took us very seriously."

Nikki said the animal was about five feet long with green eyes. "My friends think it is a panther escaped from a zoo. We looked for it all night, but it never came back."

The girls spotted the mystery animal at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

A York police spokesman confirmed a report had been made about a large cat-like animal walking through a garden in Lilac Avenue, although officers are not believed to be spending the lion's share of police time on the sighting.

Big cat expert Sean Drayton, of Flamingo Land, said he was "hugely sceptical" it was anything other than a dog. "Every time someone sees a big cat they always vanish into thin air," he said.

"If it was a panther, some sort of trace would be found. They are capable of killing and eating a dog."

Ken Harrison has studied big cats since encounters on his Hovingham farm triggered calls across the country reporting similar sightings.

"You'd be amazed at what's running wild in this country," he said.

Big cat sightings are not uncommon in the region. In February 2002, a motorist claimed to have come face-to-face with a black panther as it prowled a country lane near York.

Meanwhile, in recent years dozens of people claim to have seen what has been dubbed as the "Beast of Ryedale".

If you see the big cat, phone Matthew Woodcock on 01904 653051 ext 305 or e-mail matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:18 Saturday, April 10, 2004