A cat which was left abandoned in its home has been rescued and called Lilibet in honour of the Queen.

Concerned neighbours were calling for help to save the feline which refused to leave its former owner's house in School Avenue, Gillingham.

Mick Jones and his wife Janet Russell, 68, said she had been "stuck" in the property after its owner was evicted almost six weeks ago.

The cat was living alone since its owner was evicted from the council house on July 28, according to Mick.

Medway Council officers were feeding the cat but contractors who cleaned out the property told them she was no longer there so they stopped leaving food out.

They thought she had escaped through an open window but she soon returned.

Mick made the council aware that she never left the house and a spokesman confirmed last week its officers were again leaving fresh food and water out.

Following KentOnline's story last Thursday, charity Animals Lost and Found in Kent (ALFIK) was alerted to the abandoned pet's situation and offered its services.

Director of ALFIK Natasha McPhee said: "We thought there must be something we could do to help as the other avenues have been exhausted.

"If it has been left there it was not going to come out to anyone. We were more than happy to take over the care of the cat.

"We commented explaining that we could help with a trap and were at their disposal. Within an hour we received a call from a very worried member of staff from Medway Council."

The officer explained they had been trying to care for the cat but only a specialist team could enter the house due to safety issues.

Natasha added: "I told them I did not want to go in there but was happy to help them from outside the property. The officer took the trap away and Friday morning she was in there.

"The staff members brought the cat to us. She is a beautiful tortie, very frail and not at all happy at the moment as all she has probably ever known was her home.

"She is very wary of us but is getting there. She is really bewildered."

The feline has muscle wastage due to being malnourished so is unstable on her feet, she was dehydrated and has been hissing and growling at staff as they work on building her trust of people.

Natasha believes the cat is around three to four years old and is not micro-chipped. She has asked the owner to get in touch to let the team know her name and what she likes to help with her care.

In the meantime, she has been named Lilibet in honour of the Queen. Natasha added: "She is definitely acting like a Queen. She is getting waited on hand and foot."

ALFIK will take care of her rehabilitation for two to three weeks until she is ready to be rehomed.

Mick, 74, said: "It was marvellous. We went out there just as the council worker was getting her out. I expected her to be a bit feral but it was lovely to see her.

"It is on its way to a bright future. It warmed our hearts. It seems it will be a good cat now."

A spokesman for Medway Council passed on its thanks to ALFIK for its help in rescuing the cat and said it hopes she finds a loving home soon.