THE last place you would expect to see a raccoon is in the middle of a Ringwood housing estate.

So photographer, John Rothwell, was amazed when he snapped a raccoon in the back garden of his home in Poulner just after midnight.

John, 57, who is a member of Ringwood Camera Club, says the creature has been visiting his bird table for the past few days.

He said: “We’ve had rubbish bags torn apart in the last few days and I was blaming next door’s cat.

“I was just looking out from the conservatory and saw this thing and couldn’t figure out what it was.”

As the creature wandered closer to the light John realised it was a raccoon.

He added: “It wandered round the garden then got up on its hind legs and started drinking from the bird bath.

“I dread to think what I’m going to see next – maybe a tiger,” he joked.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “While it would be unusual if it does turn out to be a raccoon the RSPCA has certainly picked them up before, including one found in a tree in Christchurch in 2009.

“As they are not native to this country this is likely to be someone’s pet which has escaped.

“If anyone in the area is missing a raccoon I would urge them to contact the RSPCA so that we can reunite them should the animal come into our care.”