THE beast of Bexley has returned to prowl the streets of north Kent and “could attack”.

The large black cat was spotted by Holly Southin in her mother-in-law’s back garden in Ash Road, Hartley, while she was dropping off her two children on August 5.

Miss Southin, 30, of Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, told News Shopper of her surprise at seeing the beast through the patio window.

The medical secretary said: “I was just standing there, saying oh my God, oh my God.

“By the time I'd managed to comprehend what I'd just seen, it had walked off. It didn’t even run.”

Founder of Kent Big Cat Research Neil Arnold, who has been tracking big cats for 20 years and thinks Miss Southin saw a black leopard, says there is no official recognition that the cats exist.

He said: “It’s worrying as one day they could attack a child.

“They’re unlikely to harm you, but if you see one, keep still.”

Miss Southin, who is due to get married next year, told News Shopper she wanted to go into the garden to see it, but was too scared.

She said: “I was so excited by what I’d seen that I did try to find it, but got half way up the lawn and turned back.

“I was too apprehensive - it was huge.

“I do feel very lucky to have spotted this animal, as for years we've always heard these stories, but I've never known anyone to have seen one.”