The couple who found missing cat Marmie have said spoken of their delight after reuniting him with his owner.

Tracy Brewster, of Haydon Close, Barming, sobbed with joy on Tuesday night when she received a call to say her beloved pet had been found following a four-month search.

The ginger-haired puss had been taken in by Mike and Jane Lille who live 35 miles away in Surrey and were completely unaware of the Mrs Brewster's national campaign to find him.

Mr and Mrs Lille first spotted Marmie on wasteland near their home in July, the same month the cat went missing, and gradually gained his trust by leaving food out.

They finally managed to coax him into their house last week and took him to a vet in Merstham a few days later.

In a posting on the Find Marmie Facebook page, the couple wrote: "We had no idea of Marmie’s story and the search for him. It took us totally by surprise.

"Over the few days that Marmie spent in our home we realised what a great character he is and he really seems to enjoy human company.

"He did very well to survive on his own, especially where he was first spotted and is a very smart cat. Once we started putting food out for him he seemed to stay fairly close by."

Marmie could be traced back to his owner by the contact details on his microchip.

"Miracles never happen to me," Miss Brewster, 52, said. "But this is nothing short of a miracle."

She added: "As soon as I called his name, he knew who I was immediately. I scooped him up and gave him the biggest cuddle.

"I still can't believe I've found him. It's the best Christmas present I could have ever asked for. I'm so proud he's survived this horrible ordeal."

In the published letter to Miss Brewster, the couple added: "Seeing you reunited with him was wonderful. We are so pleased to have ended your nightmare and wish you both all the best."

The cat lover was reduced to tears when she spoke about the support she had received from friends and followers on social media, dubbed Marmie's Army.

She said: "There are no words to express how thankful I am. I would never have got through this without them. They have kept me going.

"I have made some friends for life and I love them all like my own family. I will never forget what they have all done for me."

Thousands of people rushed to congratulate Miss Brewster when she posted the heart-warming news on her Facebook page. Many wrote they were crying with happiness.

Miss Brewster said Marmie has settled back into life at home.

She added: "He has slept on my bed l but I couldn't sleep a wink as I couldn't stop cuddling him.

"He's lost half of his body weight but the most important thing is that he's back where he belongs.

"I'm going to be making up for lost time with plenty of cuddles."

Miss Brewster has stressed the importance of microchipping pets to ensure they can be traced back to their owners.

The tiny chips have a unique code that can be matched to contact details kept on a national PetLog database

Miss Brewster said: “The couple who found Marmie said they would have kept him if he hadn’t been chipped, as he was so lovely and friendly.

“It just goes to show it is so important to make sure pets are microchipped. Marmie could have been lost forever.”

There is usually a charge for the procedure, which can range from £10 to around £40.

For more details contact your vet.