With her black ears and pure white coat, Angel cuts a distinctive feline figure.

But there’s a lot more to this 11-year-old female – a whole lot more – and her large size has prompted comments from neighbours and passers-by.

The cat, which measures 28 inches around her tummy, lives with three other cats, a dog and owner Kate Gardener in New Dover Road.

Mrs Gardener, 81, a retired teacher, said: "Everybody that sees her says what an enormous cat she is. But she doesn't actually eat as must as the others.

"She comes from a breed known as Turkish Van, which have an unusual love of swimming because they used to swim to and from an island in Turkey. This one just loves being outdoors. She is big, but I’m just used to her."