Animal lovers are celebrating as the county's first cat cafe opened its doors today.

People flocked to William Street in Herne Bay to pet the furry felines who were all rescued from local charities.

Owner Christeen Norfolk, who lives in Whitstable, says the venture is a dream come true which she hopes will educate people about animal welfare and entertain cat lovers far and wide.

She said: "Its a chance for people who can't keep cats at home to come and enjoy them here and it's great for Herne Bay.

"We had 200 people apply for jobs here and are very happy with the staff we have chosen. They are called the 'cat nannies' and will help customers get to know each of them and whether they like to be picked up or belly stroked."

Cream teas and homemade cakes are on offer with one of the 10 cats on hand for strokes and cuddles. The cafe has attracted attention far and wide since they first posted on social media and have taken a month to settle before the cafe was opened by MP Roger Gale. "We even have a coach from Europe booked to come over in August. Cats are very therapeutic and its a great thing for Kent," she explained.

Customer Abigail Barry will be a regular visitor and says she may start painting the animals outside the cafe - a talent she has discovered since managing two brain tumours.

She said: "It's brilliant here and I come when I am well enough. I have three cats at home called Gary, Kevin and Rodney. I mainly paint dogs but maybe I can paint here too. I love animals."

The rescue cats range from kitten bobby to others including Simba, Kiki, pregnant Cilla, and Mr Chips. All have outside space to roam around and entrance to the cafe.

Some have questioned the animals proximity to food space but Christeen says she is not concerned. "I don't worry about that too much; dogs frequently go into cafes on their leads and there are other places to go if you do not like animals," she said.

To book your table at the Curious Cat Cafe visit Facebook.

SIDE BAR

People are obsessed with hygiene these days, especially cat hairs in food - I blame Come Dine With Me.

So the opening of the county's first cat cafe invariably attracted some faux horror of felines parading around a cream tea.

Interestingly folk I have spoken to who hold similar views are the same people who champion rolling around a cow field with a jam sandwich. You see it's fine to eat quiche dropped in badger poo as long as you are enjoying the great outdoors.

The cats in the cafe are friendly, far more friendly than badgers and there presence excuses you from having to engage in any wretched small talk. I had a cat shaped biscuit which I think was for humans and tasted very nice.

Elderly people petted the animals probably relieved they didn't have to go on a day out with Age Concern or play bridge.

The staff actually looked very happy to be there and enjoyed talking about the animals; more importantly when I asked for an Americano they had no idea what I was talking about. Pure joy.

Apparently the cafes started in Japan before the wonderful Dutch pimped the idea by hosting a load on a barge - named the rather brilliant De Poezenboot it's Amsterdam at its very best.

I'm a big fan of the cat cafe and to the naysayers, there's a perfectly good Costa down the road - they sell Americano and everything.