A Yorkshire family were left in shock this weekend after spotting was they think was a 4ft long ‘crocodile’ in their neighbour’s back garden.
It’s not the first sighting of the reptile in the area, either.
The family spoke of their disbelief at seeing the terrifying scaly predator slithering through the grass of their next-door neighbour’s garden.
Sarah Jayne Ellis captured the mysterious creature on camera and told Yorkshire Live the thought the animal was roughly 3 or 4 feet long and that it “looked real.’
The nurse, who had just finished a long shift at the hospital, was shutting the blinds to go to bed when she spied the creature in the long grass outside and took an image of it.
"I thought 'that's a crocodile," she confirmed to YorkshireLive, stating that whilst it didn't move when she initially saw it when she went back hours later it was no longer there.
The picture has now left other locals wondering if there is a croc on the loose in Castleford.
Sarah says that she feels the incident needs to b investigated, especially given the fact that other people have also reported similar sightings around the area.
A very similar event was reported in May last year by wildlife photographer Lee Collings, who was rambling at Castleford's nearby nature reserve when he was also shocked to come across a crocodile 'or caiman'.
Although he didn't have time to snap the creature before it slithered away, being out on a family walk without his proper photography equipment, but felt sure that he had not imagined the sighting - later being told that had dumped a caiman around that area.
However, he was still ridiculed by some at the time who dubbed it the "Cass-ness monster". Now, it appears that this new sighting supports his finding, with both being described as between 3 and 4 foot in length.
A caiman is a small alligatorid belonging to the subfamily Caimaninae, similar to a small crocodile. Whilst some people do keep caimans as pets in the UK, to do so requires a licence under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
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Luxury Leeds steakhouse to undergo huge £1.2 million renovation
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lolais a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Georgina Pellant -
20th September 2021 
