A LUCKY Ladywell cat who disappeared from the streets of south-east London has been found one year later - 449 miles away in a Scottish bank.

Pablo, aged nine, had learned to use the automatic door at Lloyds bank in Rosyth in Fife and sauntered into the branch earlier this month.

Startled staff called the nearest branch of charity Cats Protection, and when they arrived, Pablo was still there, lounging on a chair.

The charity, which identified the moggy through a microchip, is now arranging for the silver tabby to be flown back to London this week and finally be reunited with his owners.

Kate Partridge said the family couldn't believe it when they were told their much-loved pet was alive and well in Scotland.

The 59-year-old said: "We were just thinking it had been a year, and I got this phonecall from a vet in Scotland and I nearly fell over."

And it's not just the family who are relieved - neighbours were used to seeing the cat too, who was a popular character around Marsala Road where he lived and has been likened to children's favourite Six Dinner Sid for his love of being fed by as many different people as possible.

She said: "He was always one of those cats who had friends up the street and could disappear for a day or two.

"It's a long road and he used to sit in the middle of it and cars would go past him.

"He hated dogs too. Dogs would cower and run away from him."

Pablo, who was adopted as a stray, even had several names he was known by in the street.

Ms Partridge, whose daughter Siobhan Campbell, aged 33, owns the cat, said: "He's a character, and it's quite funny because the Cats Protection people have sent us photos and he's still got the same look on his face.

"My daughter has said we ought to have a street party to welcome him back."

Mistaken for a stray?

The charity believes the cat was mistaken for a stray, taken in by a well-meaning London person and brought up to Scotland when they moved house.

Cats Protection’s Regional Development Manager for North Scotland Tracy Shiells said: "This goes to show how important it is for owners to microchip cats and keep the address details up-to-date as in this case."

She added: "We would like to thank the family for making a donation towards the cost and Pet Travel Services who are waiving their usual fee and donating a special cat carrier in which Pablo will be transported.

"We still need further funds to meet Pablo’s travel bill of £250, so to make a donation please call Cats Protection on 0800 917 2287 and quote ‘Pablo’ to make a donation over the phone.

"Any funds raised in excess of Pablo’s bill will be used to help other cats at Cats Protection’s West Fife branch."