REPORTS were circulating today that a strange beast is roaming Cannock Chase - and now paranormal investigators are investigating. A Bigfoot-type creature is said to be roaming the woodland of Cannock Chase and a number of eyewitness accounts are adding weight to allegations that Sasquatch - as Red Indians dubbed the creature - is alive. Respected "X Files" reporter Nick Redfern has monitored sightings from Castle Ring to Slitting Mill. And all of the locals who spotted the mystery beast give the same description - a giant, hairy creature with blazing red eyes. Jackie Haughton sparked the Bigfoot alert with a sighting in the early hours of February 18, 1995, on the Cannock-Rugeley road. Writing for Fate magazine, Mr Redfern reports: "She was suddenly forced to swerve the car and narrowly avoided collision with a large, shambling creature that stepped into the road at a distance of about 20 feet. "Considering that she was travelling at high speed, said Jackie, it was a miracle that she didn't hit it. The encounter lasted barely a few seconds, but she had caught sight of the animal and said it was man-like and tall, very hairy, with two self-illuminating, glowing red eyes. It quickly vanished into the trees." Jackie's claims gained credence when a motorist and his party recorded a sighting on a night in September, 1998. One of the party of four said: "It was a tall, man-like figure, sort of crouching forward. As we passed, it turned and looked straight at us. "I would describe it as around 6ft 8in, very strong-looking and with a darkish, blacky-brown coat. I still get goosebumps thinking about it." Alec Williams had an eightsecond encounter with Bigfoot at Castle Ring - an ancient monument - in April 2004. He describes a 7ft creature, with short, shiny, dark brown hair, large head and eyes that glow bright red. Mr Williams claims he saw what looked like a camera flash nearby and heard an "owl-like cry". * Have your say on this story at www.icbirmingham.co.uk/mail/news/yoursay | 
