A couple are thrilled to have back their cat, which disappeared almost a year ago.

Felix, a three-year-old tom, went missing from his home in Church Langton, near Market Harborough, in March.

Owners David and Kareen Hubbard posted pictures of him around the village in an attempt to find him, but without success.

They had given up hope of seeing him again until they got a call from a vet last week.

The cat had found a temporary home in Great Bowden, less than four miles away.

He had chosen Mike and June Allen as his new owners.

Mike said: "My wife and I noticed this black and white cat in our garden about the middle of last summer.

"He looked well groomed and we assumed he belonged to someone in the village.

"But before Christmas he started to tap on the windows.

"He was obviously hungry, so we started to feed him and he was ravenous."

Felix was given the name Tiddles and a home in a cardboard box in the garage.

However, the Allens decided get him looked at by a vet in Market Harborough, who discovered an identification chip.

The vet checked the code and rang the Hubbards.

Mrs Hubbard said: "It is great to have him back. Felix went missing in March. We think he must have climbed into a workman's van parked nearby.

"What happened to him until he was spotted by the Allens in the summer is a mystery. I think he must have been fed before he adopted the Allens in December.

"The Allens must have spoiled him with top food because at first he turned up his nose at what we offered him.

"But he is getting back to normal and has started sleeping on our bed again."