A policeman has become the latest person to encounter the elusive Beast of Essex.

The officer was on duty and returning to Wivenhoe police station when he spotted the creature which growled at him before disappearing down the side of the High Street building.

A search was launched after the encounter on Monday night and was resumed yesterday morning but no trace of the animal was found.

Essex Police said reported sightings of the mysterious beast - which is thought to be a big cat such as puma or panther - were infrequent in the county but each one was taken seriously and investigated.