A cat that jumped out of a van in West Malling could be spending Christmas in Kent if his owners are not found within the next two weeks.

The long-haired grey tabby, who has been nicknamed Regan by his rescuers, was spotted by a woman on Saturday, November 26 leaping from a delivery van that had travelled from Cambridge - 80 miles away.

A search was launched to find the neutered cat’s owners and hundreds of social media users shared his story, which was picked up by media outlets in Kent and Cambridgeshire.

Adrian Ferne, manager at Cats Protections’ Bredhurst Adoption Centre, where four of five-year-old Regan is being looked after, was confident last week the cat would be home for Christmas.

But now it is looking likely he will spend the festive season at the adoption centre.

Mr Ferne said: “We’re still doing our best to promote Regan’s plight and hoping someone will come forward. He's very happy at the moment. We don’t home cats over Christmas because they’re not Christmas presents. It’s charity policy to cease re-homing on December 18 and we won’t start again until the New Year.

“We’ll certainly hold onto him over the Christmas period, which gives us a bit more time to find his owners. You never know what might happen.”

Two people from different parts of the country have come forward hoping Regan was their missing moggy but they were left disappointed.

Regan is not microchipped and Mr Ferne said his case highlights how important microchips are.

Call Cats Protection on 01634 232471 or email bredhurst@cats.org.uk if you know who the cat belongs to.