Social media star cat Garfield killed in Sainsbury's car park accident Published duration 3 July 2019

image copyright Book Guild image caption Garfield visited the store in Ely almost daily since it opened in 2012

A cat that built a large social media profile for hanging out at his local supermarket has died in a car accident.

Ginger tom Garfield, 12, became a familiar sight at Sainsbury's in Ely, Cambridgeshire, after the store was built on his old stomping ground.

News of his death was broken to his 6,300 Facebook followers on Tuesday.

Owner David Willers said: "Garfield brought joy to all our lives and his memory and legacy lives on."

He said the pet was hit by a car in the supermarket car park, and despite the efforts of a vet, he died of his injuries.

image copyright Tali Iserles image caption Garfield had become something of a celebrity in Sainsbury's, Ely

"With great sadness, we have to report that Garfield died a short while ago," Mr Willers wrote.

"He was hit by a car in Sainsbury's car park earlier this afternoon and was rushed to the vet but they were unable to save him.

"Give your own cat an extra cuddle tonight and remember Garfy with love."

More than 1,100 messages of condolence from well-wishers have been left on his dedicated page.

Paw print stamp

Garfield - who was known as Mr Sainsbury's - first started visiting the store when it was built in 2012 on a meadow opposite the flat where he lived.

He regularly made the trip to the store and became popular with customers and staff.

A book about his adventures sold out within half an hour, with Garfield "signing" copies with a special paw print stamp in Ely Library.

The stamp was modelled on his real paw.