Big Foot - alive and living on the Chase

Feb 8 2006 Exclusive By Mike Lockley, Birmingham Post

Paranormal magazines are investigating claims - first made in The Post - that a Big Foot type creature is roaming the dense woodland of Cannock Chase.

And they have gained a number of eyewitness accounts to add weight to allegations that Sasquatch - as Red Indians dubbed the creature - is alive, well...and living close to you.

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.

Jack Haughton sparked the Big Foot 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. In my own words, I would describe it as around 6ft 8ins tall, very strong looking and with a darkish, blacky-brown coat. I just could not explain it and I still get goosebumps thinking about it."

Alec Williams had an eight second encounter with Big Foot at Castle Ring - an ancient monument - in April, 2004.

He is adamant he saw a seven foot tall creature, with short, shiny, dark brown hair, large head and eyes that glowed bright red.

Interestingly, Williams claims he saw 'what looked like a camera flash' coming from nearby woodland and heard an owl-like cry."

A local wildlife expert we approached dismissed the Big Foot claims.

"Maybe one of your readers has gone feral," he added.

Editor's note: Anyone who can provide me with a picture of Big Foot will get a free Indian meal.

* Send your snaps to: Big Foot, Chase Post, 103-106, High Green Court, Newhall St, Cannock WS11 1AB or email mike_lockley@mrn.co.uk