VETS are hoping to find a loving home for a cat that has been living rough for months.

Thomas was taken to Abbey Vets in Pelton Fell Road, Chester-le-Street, three weeks ago by a woman from Pelton who had been feeding him and was worried about his health.

The 12-year-old cat had both a microchip and a collar - his previous names were Tiger and Toby – but the addresses and telephone numbers were out of date and staff were unable to trace his owners.

Thomas suffers from arthritis and staff at Abbey want to find him a new loving home.

Veterinary nurse Caroline Calder said: “He does have some health problems, which will require long term care, and he would ideally need to be kept on his own - he's not keen on dogs - so he is very difficult to re-home because of these restrictions.

“However, he deserved a chance of a good home because he is such a lovely natured cat.

“He needs to spend all day on someone’s lap. He needs a bit of TLC.”

Miss Calder urged owners with microchipped pets to update their details when they moved house so that they could be traced.

Anyone interested in re-homing Thomas should call 0191-387 1881.