A cat stowaway travelled up to 80 miles before jumping out of a van in West Malling.

Now a search is underway to find his owners and get him back home in time for Christmas.

The adventurous grey tabby may have travelled from as far away as Cambridge – 80 miles from the Kent town –which is where the van began its journey.

The long-haired neutered cat was discovered on Saturday and is being looked after at Cats Protections’ Bredhurst Adoption Centre, between Maidstone and Sittingbourne, where staff have named him Regan.

Regan is not microchipped and volunteers have no way of contacting his no doubt worried owners.

Adoption centre manager Adrian Ferne said: “He’s very friendly. He’s a lovely cat and is obviously owned. It’s unusual to have his colourings so he’s quite distinctive.

“A lady contacted us after she saw him jump out of the back of the van when the delivery driver opened the door. Normally we wouldn’t take a cat in straight away because it could have a home but in this case he would have been distressed because he’s come some distance.

“We hope we can get him home for Christmas, that’s our aim. We definitely want to find his owners and we’re doing everything we can. I think there’s a good chance we’ll find them.”

Mr Ferne estimated Regan could be about four or five years old.

Online lost and found service Lostbox, which claims it has reunited more than 35,000 items, pets and even families since launching in 2012, has made it its mission to track down the cat’s owners.

In a post on its Facebook page, which has been shared more than 50 times, Lostbox said: “This beautiful neutered male was found in West Malling. He had jumped out of a van that had come back from Cambridge. He isn’t chipped and is currently safe with Cats Protection Bredhurst.

“He is alive and well. Keep sharing to get this boy home.”

This is by no means the first time a cat has gone on an adventure in a vehicle.

In January 2015, mischievous pet Timmy became wedged under the bonnet of his neighbour’s car in Elm Crescent, East Malling, just before she set off for Maidstone.

Jane Butcher realised something wasn’t right when she smelt burning so pulled over and called mechanics to free Timmy, who miraculously escaped unharmed.

Last winter black and white cat Otis needed emergency treatment for cuts and burns when he curled up under the bonnet of a Mazda and the driver, not realising he was there, set off for work and drove down the M2.

And a young ginger cat hitched a ride from Smeeth, near Ashford, almost 130 miles to Hampshire last year, where he was adopted by a veterinary nurse and renamed Peanut when his owners could not be found.