An elderly woman has been uncovered as a serial cat-napper after police discovered 15 missing felines in her house.

Fifteen animals were found in her home in Trafford, Greater Manchester, last night.

The RSPCA has released images of the pets in a bid to reunite them with their long-lost owners.

The police was called to the property earlier this week after a concerned caller noticed the woman had a 'considerable amount' of cats inside her home.

An elderly woman has been uncovered as a serial cat-napper after police discovered 15 missing felines in her house

Fifteen animals were found in her home in Trafford, Greater Manchester, last night

Numerous posts then appeared on social media, suggesting the animals were missing pets from across Greater Manchester, which then sparked further calls to police.

A police spokesman said they visited an address 'thought to have stolen cats inside' on Wednesday and recovered fifteen animals which were handed to the RSPCA.

A spokesman for the charity said they animals all appeared to have been well looked after and that there were no concerns for their welfare.

It is believed some may have come from south Manchester.

So far, four of the 15 cats have been identified. RSPCA officers are trying to identify the owners of the other 11.

All the cats are male, except for one female, which is blind.

An RSPCA spokesman said: 'The RSPCA is assisting the police in looking after a number of cats removed from an address in Stretford.

The RSPCA has released images of the pets in a bid to reunite them with their long-lost owners

Numerous posts then appeared on social media, suggesting the animals were missing pets from across Greater Manchester, which then sparked further calls to police

An RSPCA spokesman said: 'The RSPCA is assisting the police in looking after a number of cats removed from an address in Stretford'

'The cats were being well cared for and there are no concerns for their welfare but we do believe that some of them may have owners in the south Manchester area and are keen to reunite them.

A spokeswoman for GMP said enquiries are ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward.

She added: 'On Wednesday, October 4, officers requested assistance from the RSPCA as they attended a house in Stretford, which was thought to have stolen cats inside.

'Almost 20 cats were discovered in the property, a large proportion of which were seized by officers as evidence and are currently in the care of RSPCA.

'A woman at the property was spoken to by officers and a safeguarding assessment will be made due to some concerns which were observed while officers were in the property.

'Enquiries are ongoing and officers are working with the RSPCA to reunite any cats with their rightful owners.'

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 - or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If you think one of the cats is yours, call the RSPA on 0300 123 8018.