A much-loved marauding moggie known as the "Sainsbury's cat" has racked up more than a thousand dedicated fans.

Two-year-old former stray Griffin, who lives with his owner Rachel Craft in the King’s Mile area of Canterbury, has attracted a legion of followers who track his audacious adventures across the city.

As well as Sainsbury’s, the cheeky grey and white cat has also popped up in Starbucks, a school, a nightclub, a cobbler’s – and once had to be collected eight miles away in Herne Bay.

There are now 1,587 members in his ‘Gallivanting Griffin’ Facebook group which has documented his trips to the pub, the local nursery and even taking himself to the vet.

Now to capitalise on his newfound fame, owner Rachel has designed and produced a calendar celebrating the tom, with profits going to Bid to Save a Stray - the charity that rescued Griffin from the streets.

She told KentOnline: “It is very strange and it can be a little overwhelming at times having over a thousand people interested in your cat but its also really really lovely having so many people care about him and look out for him when he’s out and about.

“Griffin can’t really be owned. Obviously this is home and he has his breakfast and his dinner here most of the time, but ultimately he’s not a one-person pet - he definitely could never be a house cat. Griffin does what he wants at the end of the day.

“We’ve done amazingly well with the calendar - we’ve sold just under 80. I was expecting maybe 20 so we’ve done brilliantly. I’ve not done all the maths yet but we’ve raised a lot of money for charity. It’s brilliant.

“The most ridiculous place I’ve had to pick him up from is Herne Bay. I still have no idea how he got there, I can only guess that he jumped in someone's car or on a bus?”

Last October a gang of youths set upon Griffin and ended up throwing him into a bin.

While Rachel says nothing like that has happened again she says she does worry about her wandering feline.

But now she says she feels he is safer than ever with a community of people looking out for him.

She continued: “He’s been up to the University of Kent a couple of times and that is quite far from us. I do try and discourage it because I’m not a big fan of him being that far away from home.

“I worry about his safety. He was a stray initially but he was only on the streets a few months but I’d imagine he’s a second or third generation street cat so I’d hope he has a deep rooted street sense because he seems pretty good at crossing roads.

“I am worried about him getting himself into trouble in Sainsbury’s, he is so cheeky. I phoned them and managed to speak to a manager. I left my number and said if he’s ever a bother just give me a call but nobody has.

“Touch wood - he will keep behaving himself and stay away from the chicken. Sainsbury’s security thought it was hilarious, one of them told me that Griffin is easier to deal with than the people they usually have to escort out.”

Making friends in high places, it was at Sainsbury’s in Kingsmead Road that Griffin crossed paths with Canterbury city councillor Charlotte Cornell.

Cllr Cornell was forced to step in when she spotted the moggie trying to get at the meat counter but once that was resolved they became firm friends.

She said: “It was such a delight to encounter Griffin. He is a Canterbury institution and removing him from the chilled whole chickens in the meat aisle was one of the best meetings of my week.

“Griffin brings so much joy to the people of Canterbury. Sometimes, it takes a free spirit like Griffin to bring people together.

“Should you be lucky enough for Griffin to wander into your day, it will only bring happiness. “I'm sure there will soon be a campaign to make Griffin Mayor, or perhaps because his formal speech-making skills do need some work, an honorary formal position as Canterbury Mayor's Cat would be more appropriate. I shall raise these important ideas with officers at the council.”

Well travelled, Griffin has been spotted from the high street all the way up to being removed from Venue, the University of Kent’s on campus nightclub.

He’s also sought affection from pupils at The Archbishop's School in St Stephen's Hill where he caused a good deal of excitement.

But the feline spends most of his time in and around the Sainsbury’s area - often stopping at the Starbucks to watch customers enjoy a coffee.

Most recently, on Sunday, November 26, Griffin hazardously hopped into a woman’s car for a nap.

After noticing her furry stowaway she kindly gave the moggie a lift home.

Recognising his popularity, a local designer has created merchandise of the famous tom - a badge which can be purchased from Canterbury Makers in the Marlowe Arcade.

So well-loved by his army of followers there have even been calls for a statue of the feline to be erected.

Rachel Craft, who has been trying to keep up with Griffin for just over two years, said: “I’m just blown away by how many people love him and how many people go out of their way to meet him and help him out.

“People just absolutely love him. There’s people who tell me that they aren’t able to have a pet themselves or that their cats have passed away but seeing Griffin brings them joy.

He just seems to bring joy to so many people. There are so many stories about him but he’s just completely oblivious and out there having a great time.”