Fear and sympathy: villagers on their encounters with the ‘Somerset gimp’

The latex-clad individual has caused much distress in the sleepy West Country area, though others say they feel sorry for them'

Search for the Somerset villages of Claverham, Yatton, Cleeve and Bleadon on the local police website and one topic dominates. Not appeals relating to burglaries, car crime or missing people - but sightings of a figure who slips out from the shadows at night, dressed top to toe in black bondage-like gear.

Since the so-called Somerset gimp first emerged five years ago, he has caused a mishmash of distress, fear and concern in this picturesque, usually peaceful, rural area 10 miles south of Bristol, set just back from the coast.