A curious cat that has been wandering around the Island for nine months has been reunited with its owners – who live 40 miles away.

Iona and Colin Gourlay, from Orpington, brought ginger and white moggy Murakami to stay with a friend in Queenborough while they went to a funeral in Scotland in September.

While staying in Queenborough, the pet managed to get out and ran off, and although its owners spent a couple of weeks travelling back and forth frantically searching for Kami, as the cat is known, they eventually had to admit defeat.

The animal, which will be three in July, somehow made its way to Queenborough Road, Halfway, where resident George Poule took pity and began caring for it.

He first came across the cat in December, and unsuccessfully tried to track down an owner.

The 67-year-old said: “I had no idea where he had come from and it was a worry to me as he was sleeping outside and was very thin and had worms.

“He’s a beautiful cat and extremely friendly. I called him Ginger while he was with me.”

Mr Poule was worried about what would happen to the cat when he went away later this summer and contacted Cats’ Protection.

The charity found no microchip but posted a photo of the moggy on Facebook – which was seen by Mr and Mrs Gourlay.

They hopped on a train straight away, and a happy reunion took place at Mr Poule’s house earlier this month.

Sylvia Foster, coordinator for the Swale branch of the charity, said: “He must have made his way all round the back to get to George’s from Queenborough. I couldn’t believe it.

“It was just wonderful when the owners turned up.”

Mr Gourlay said the family was delighted to have Kami, named after a Japanese author, home, and said their pet had settled back in just fine.

He thanked the charity and Mr Poule for all their help in getting them back together.

“We couldn’t believe it when we saw him online,” he said.

“It’s absolutely amazing. He’s an important part of the family.

“We have got a dog as well and he was really happy to see him. They sit and cuddle with each other.”