Homeowners in a quiet market town cul-de-sac are on the alert after a trio of frightening cat attacks.

No-one knows if the distinctive black and white cat, which has struck in the self-styled 'slow town' of Aylsham, has an owner.

But over two weeks two attacks have happened in The Maltings, Aylsham, and one in Stuart Road.

An elderly woman was knocked over in her back garden by the aggressive animal which 'flew at her' and bit into her leg. The creature also bit the thigh of a younger woman.

Helen Copperthwaite, 65, from The Maltings, said: 'I have seen the cat around in my garden and was amazed at how aggressive it was. It turned on me and started to hiss and growl like it was going to fight.'

Miss Copperthwaite, who has not been attacked, described the black cat as 'surprisingly small' with four white paws and white chest area and was worried it would attack a child.

She said some residents felt uncomfortable and described the incidents as 'frightening'.

Vet Michaela Bone, from Miramar Veterinary Centre in Cromer, said such attacks were rare and advised people to give the cat a wide berth and not look it in the eye.

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234999.

Are you the owner of the cat or have you been attacked? Email sophie.wyllie@archant.co.uk