A devastated pet owner headed an 'army' of supporters through the streets of Maidstone town centre today in a bid to find her missing cat.

Dozens of campaigners from across Kent arrived outside County Hall in support of Tracy Brewster who has been searching for her 12-year-old ginger moggie Marmie - short for Marmalade - for seven weeks.

She believes he was snatched from her back garden in Haydon Close, Barming, and may have been dumped somewhere, possibly in nearby Queen's Road.

Mrs Brewster, 52, led the loyal supporters from County Hall, down Week Street to the Town Hall.

The group of dedicated campaigners - accompanied by a volunteer banjo player - handed out leaflets, stopped to speak to passers-by and chanted their way through the town.

Since the end of July Mrs Brewster's online campaign has attracted more than 1,900 followers on a Facebook page called Marmie's Army.

Many of the volunteers who arrived at the march said they had found out about Tracy's search through the social media website.

Stacey Parker, 28, has not previously met Mrs Brewster, but arrived clothed in a 'Find Marmie' T-shirt after reading about the parade on Facebook.

She said: "I don't know Tracy, but I would be absolutely devastated if I had a pet and it went missing.

"I'd move heaven and earth to find them and I'd be as upset as Tracy. She's a lovely woman and I'm happy to help."

Sam Rose, who lives on the Isle of Sheppey is another supporter who came across the campaign and donated £500 towards the reward fund. She said: "I saw it online and it is just awful so I wanted to do whatever I could to help."

After finishing the march at Jubilee Square, Mrs Brewster said: "Today was very important to me and Marmie.

"I wanted the march to make people aware of what is going on. I'm very proud of all my Marmie supporters and it has really choked me up to see everyone here today.

"I just want Marmie to come home, I can't sleep at night and I get so tearful every time I talk about it.

"I hope today has made people of Maidstone aware and if they see a ginger cat they have never seen before they will get in touch with me."

Mrs Brewster has lost her job as a housekeeper since Marmie disappeared and now spends her time putting up posters, taking calls and responding to posts on Facebook.

She has spent £1,000 on the campaign that has attracted the attention of poet Pam Ayres and Made In Chelsea star Lucy Watson who have tweeted about the appeal.

A reward of £1,100 is being offered for the return of Marmie.