A STARTLED Tycroes family believe they may have stumbled across the secret lair of the fabled "Wolfman" of Pantyffynnon tips.

The family – who do not wish to be named – say they discovered a tin shed stuffed with food, clothes and electrical items during a Sunday stroll through the thickly-wooded former mining site.

Their find will fuel the suspicions of angry locals that an unkempt vagrant living wild on the tips is responsible for a series of petty thefts in the area.

Last summer the Guardian revealed how the man – dubbed "The Wolfman" by local kids – had successfully eluded attempts by local police to nab him.

Local officer Charles Gabe suggested he survived on a diet of berries and wild rabbits after inspecting a primitive hide on the tips – and the story made national headlines.

"It was unbelievable how much stuff was in that shed – it was packed," the mother told the Guardian. "There was food, clothes, radios and even dog food.

"There are a lot of concerned people around here. It’s creepy knowing there is someone hanging around our homes.

"I hope the police take this seriously. I think this could be where he is hoarding the stuff he has taken."