A tabby found in Braintree is in the running to become the rescue cat of the year.

Cat in a million - Tornado with Deborah and Simon

Deborah Lord and her son Simon first found Tornado, when he was a 12-week-old kitten. Now the family are so proud of their pet they have entered him into the Cats Protection League's Rescue Cat of the Year Award.

Simon, ten, who has Aspergers Syndrome, heard him miaowing outside their home one morning, about two years ago.

Mrs Lord said: "From the first moment we saw him we fell in love with him. We put up posters around the area and in the local shop I was told an RSPCA inspector had been looking for him."

Happily settled at the family's home in Vanguard Way, Braintree, Tornado and Simon have formed a close-friendship.

Mrs Lord said: "He follows Simon wherever he goes, around the house."

She added: "He's such a well-behaved cat, he's a real part of the family."

Published Tuesday October 22, 2002

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