A lost cat was reunited with his owner after being missing for a year thanks to a Saffron Walden charity.

Two-year-old Reggie was found in Henham, and was reported to Toe Beans Cat Rescue by a concerned resident.

The charity, which is based in Howlett End, Saffron Walden, scanned Reggie's microchip to find his address.

Reggie's owner, Ella Blair, 27, of Impington near Cambridge, said she and her three children were "hugely grateful" to the charity.

She said: "We would love to know if someone knows where he's been - it's been racking my brain. Thank you again and again and again for bringing him home.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Ella Blair was reunited with Reggie thanks to Toe Beans Cat RescueElla Blair was reunited with Reggie thanks to Toe Beans Cat Rescue (Image: Toe Beans Cat Rescue)

"I've got mixed emotions because someone must have been looking after him - but then he was my cat."

Toe Beans organiser Lucy Wyatt said that as Reggie was found near a telephone exchange, its possible he ended up in Henham - 25 miles from home - after getting shut into a van by an unwitting BT engineer.

She said: "This is such a fantastic result. Losing a pet is a horrible thing to go through, and Reggie's family were on tenterhooks for a year, not knowing what had happened to him.

READ MORE

"We're happy we could play a part in reuniting them. This illustrates the importance of keeping your cats microchip details up to date."

Toe Beans is run by volunteers from their own homes. In addition to finding lost cats, scanning them for microchips and contacting owners, they also foster cats in need of homes until they can be matched with new owners, put cats up for adoption and trap strays and feral colonies.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Reggie when he arrived back at his owner Ella's houseReggie when he arrived back at his owner Ella's house (Image: Toe Beans Cat Rescue)

Trained volunteers are also on hand to help identify cats killed in traffic accidents, and they also keep an eye on local Facebook groups for residents reporting their own missing cat or identifying strays they have seen.

The charity - which operates in Uttlesford and surrounding areas - says they are "always grateful" for donations of money for vet's bills, as well as food, cat litter and other essentials.

To find out more or to donate visit https://www.toebeanscatrescue.org.uk/.