A cat named Ben has been returned to his family after he was found nearly 12 miles away from his home in Larkfield.

The 15-year-old pet was rescued in Christmas Street, Gillingham.

Natasha McPhee, Director of Animals Lost and Found in Kent attended to the animal and discovered he was from Larkfield after reading his chip.

She said: "We got a report on our Facebook group about a cat that had wandered into someone's house.

"We told them to put the collar back on the cat and put him outside to see if he wanders home.

"But then it came quite apparent that the cat didn't want to leave. We took the cat back to our property and carried on checking."

Miss McPhee suspects the feline had jumped into a car or van from the area and ended up in Gillingham.

The 36-year-old continued: "As soon as we came back there was a lady on the [Facebook] post who said 'that's my cat'.

"We private messaged her and asked her a few questions, and every single detail matched.

"When she (Ben's owner) turned up to collect him, she recognised him instantly and gave him a big cuddle and he fell asleep straight away."

Owner Selena Cuthbert, 40, said: "I would like to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart."

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