FOR years, it was the legendary Durham Puma that stayed one step ahead of wildlife enthusiasts eager to prove its existence.

But now, experts are in a flap over sightings of a new mystery beast -the Weardale Wolverine.

Exotic wildlife research organisation Beastwatch is on the hunt for evidence after a motorist said she saw one.

The driver contacted Beastwatch to say she had twice seen a "big, ferret-like creature" on moors between Rookhope and Ireshopeburn, County Durham.

The woman, whose name has not been disclosed, said: "I have twice seen a beastie that looks like one, a big, ferret-like creature, almost as long as a badger.

"It is polecat-coloured at a guess, but on both occasions it has been dark and only briefly seen in the car lights.

"Whatever it is, it lives in a small conifer plantation populated by loads of rabbits, hares and squirrels."

Chris Mullins, of Beastwatch, said: "There have been other reports, but not in the North-East. There was a wolverine shot in Wales some time ago.

"It is most uncommon to see them, and we are just looking for any more information."

Wolverines, relatives of the skunk, are up to 18in tall, powerfully built, with sharp teeth and a bushy tail.

The endangered animals are nocturnal and prey on whatever they can find.

l Police have also been on the trail of a big cat after a sighting near Stillington, Teesside.

A 37-year-old man from Norton reported seeing a black panther-like animal leap from behind a fence on Sunday.

Cleveland Police's wildlife officer visited the scene but found no evidence. Further checks will be made.

More than 500 sightings of cat-like creatures have been reported across the North-East in the past two decades.

The first recorded sighting of the beast that came to be known as the Durham Puma was in August 1986, when a lorry driver spotted a giant cat near the A1(M) at Sedgefield.

When droppings were found several years ago, tests confirmed they were from a puma, but it has so far eluded capture.