A cat who was found in Kent more than 250 miles from its home is now stuck in the county due to lockdown rules.

Marshall the tomcat was found in Rochester earlier this month after being missing from his Bolton home since February.

But now he's forced to have an extended vacation in Medway before being returned to his owner Sam Spragg in Lancashire.

Lynne Ashman, from Rochester, found Marshall - nicknamed the Bolton Wanderer - and posted on a Facebook to try and find his owner.

However, when she had no luck she took him to the vets where his microchip was scanned and it was revealed the adventurous feline was from Lancashire.

Carer Lynne is now looking after him with her 11-year-old son Harry until it's safe for Sam to pick him up.

The 49-year-old said: "Once I found out that he was from the north, I was perplexed. I wondered how he got here.”

“After 11 weeks away from home, you would’ve thought that the poor thing would be starving to death but that clearly wasn’t the case.

“He was certainly well-fed when he was making his journey down here.

“He just struts about the place as if it’s his manor and is just wonderful in every way possible - he’s not too chunky, he’s nice and petite.

"We even call him Phantom - from Phantom of the Opera - because of the white patch on his face."

Sam and Lynne were put into contact two days after Marshall, six, was found and are in constant contact, even sending daily pictures and videos of the tomcat.

"I’d love to know how he disappeared to Kent. It’s a complete mystery."

"Our conversations have led to a new friendship and a challenge to get him up north," Lynne added.

Wedding and events co-ordinator Sam wasn't worried at first, as Marshall had a tendancy to wander off.

The 27-year-old said: “At first, I didn’t think anything of it because Marshall is always in and out of the house so when he goes away for a couple of days, he always comes back.

“That’s just normal behaviour for Marshall - he’s so adventurous. He’s a very sociable cat so I thought he would either be in a back garden somewhere or saying hello to care home residents.

“I was just trying to keep positive but when you don’t hear back for so long, you start to fear the worst. I thought I had lost him forever."

Cat charity, Just Cats North West, is currently trying to get Sam back to Marshall as soon as they can.

Sam added: "I’d love to know how he disappeared to Kent. It’s a complete mystery."

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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