A stray cat found with sores and wounds near Hartsdown Swimming Pool in Margate has been put down.

Cats in Crisis Thanet were looking for the cat’s owner, which was cowering by pipes at the rear of the building on January 11.

The black cat was said to be in “a dreadful mess” and “a bag of bones inside a bag of skin”.

Director Mary Knott said: “Further veterinary examination revealed that what was originally thought to be a huge abscess on the face was in fact a very large tumour invading the face and mouth.

“We had no alternative other than to have him put to sleep.

“We are no closer to tracing his owner and given the comments from some of Thanet's cat lovers who phoned in about him, it is probably just as well.

“But we are overwhelmed by the kindness of people who have phoned in expressing their sadness after reading about him.”