AN ANIMAL resembling a black leopard has been spotted stalking through a remote field in Gravesend by a man and his neighbour.

The pair, a middle-aged man and a teenager, were out looking for animal tracks during the recent snow storms.

They spotted a black shape emerge from the corner of the field and walk towards them.

The pair used binoculars to look at the four-foot long animal and left quickly when it started moving towards them.

They called members of Kent Big Cat Research who arrived shortly afterwards and found the tracks of the animal.

The cat's tracks followed that of the witnesses. Neil Arnold, from Kent Big Cat Research said: "Each set of tracks made by the cat showed four fist-sized impressions and a stride pattern of just over four feet, and on occasion trails made by the long tail could be seen on the top of the snow.

"We followed the trail for more than four-hundred yards but lost it on an icy road."

The area is now being monitored for the animal. Anyone with information can contact Mr Arnold on 01634 302572.