A pet lover hoping to trace her two missing cats even contacted Cory's street cleaning service to see if the worst had happened.

"They were sympathetic, but none of their crews had reported finding them," said desperate Melanie Croucher, of Southend.

The pair have been lost since the Tuesday before Christmas. It's the first time they have disappeared from Mrs Croucher's home in Eastwoodbury Crescent, opposite the airport.

She said: "I let them out into the garden, and half an hour later they were nowhere to be found.

"They are not the wandering kind. I think someone must have taken them. My eight year old daughter Kimberley is heartbroken."

One, Baby, is white with yellow eyes. She is two years old, with a red tartan collar. The other, Whiskey, has long black hair. She is aged six.

Mrs Croucher added: "I've been out every day searching. I've asked all my neighbours and put leaflets through everyone's door."

She is offering an unspecified reward for information leading to the cats' return.

Anyone able to help can call her on 01702 531929.

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