SHOCKED Paul Taylor may be the first victim of a mysterious large black cat said to be stalking the countryside around Droit-wich Spa.

The 44-year-old farm worker is this week nursing his injuries after being catapulted over the handlebars of his bike when the beast ran into him as he cycled near Elmbridge church.

He said: "I heard a noise like a low growl and the animal ran from the hedge at the side of the road in front of my wheel causing me to come to a sudden stop.

"I had a good view of it for a split second before I was thrown to the ground. It was large, shiny and had the flattish face of a cat.

"I'm used to animals and it certainly wasn't a dog or a badger."

The fall left him winded and suffering from sprains and bruises which caused him to have to take time off from his temporary job at Elmbridge Fruit Farm, in Addis Lane, where he lives.

The incident happened on Tuesday October 2 as Paul was free-wheeling downhill at speed as dusk was beginning to fall.

He said: "It made no sound as I crashed into it and it disappeared into the hedge at the other side of the lane."

Paul's hairy experience follows a recent sighting of another unidentified animal thought to be a big cat.

Michael Barnes, from Crown Lane, Wychbold, spotted a large black animal eating from a refuse sack in the early hours of September 21 at his home.

The following day a hole containing large animal droppings was found at Lineholt, Ombersley.

John Hodson, for the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust based at Smite, was sceptical.

He said he had an open mind but could not rule out the animals being deer.