STRANGE footprints in a snowy Torridgeside garden have left locals wondering whether the devil's been down in Woolsery...
The Devil's Footprints is one of Devon's great mysteries. Legend has it that on February 8, 1855, a trail of hoof-like marks following straight lines appeared in the snow for more than 100 miles across South Devon.
Legend has it that the footprints were those of Satan.
But, some 150 years later, the puzzle could be solved as a similar phenomenon was found in Woolsery last Thursday morning.
Jill Wade, a member of the Woolsery Knit-wits, who knit in aid of the Children's Hospice South West, woke to find the footprints.
She said: "I looked in the garden and it really intrigued me.
"I was quite surprised by it and I hadn't got a clue what it was, but I thought I would love to know."
Mrs Wade, who is retired, didn't believe it was the work of the devil, but still couldn't account for it. So she called in scientists from the nearby Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ).
The CFZ immediately dispatched zoologist Graham Inglis to look at the footprints which were around 5in long with a stride of between 11 and 17 inches.
Jon Downes from the CFZ said: "The footprints are peculiar, but they are not the devil's — I don't believe the horned one has been in Woolsery.
"Personally I think it belongs to a rabbit or hare, but quite an academic punch-up has started over it."
Mr Downes explained that several scientists had seen pictures of the footprints and had varying opinions on what could be responsible including mink, rabbit, hare, sheep and a muntjac deer.
Mr Downes is hoping to get access to all these animals the next time it snows and record their behaviour to solve the mystery.
He added: "I think that with some further research we may finally solve the great Devon mystery of 150 years — I want to see if we can put it to bed."
http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/news/paid-visit-Woolsery-snow-8212-possibly-wasn-t-Satan/article-763209-detail/article.html
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