THE antics of an adventurous cat are causing consternation at a North-East church after the animal effectively re-tuned their organ.

Parishioners think that the black and white cat has been sneaking in to Holy Trinity Church, in Woodland Road, Darlington, and seeking sanctuary in the organ for a couple of months.

Assistant priest, the Reverend Linda Peall, said that the first evidence of the feline imposter were when cat hairs and claw marks were found near the altar.

Scratch marks were also found around the children's corner, where the animal is thought to have slept on occasions.

She said: "It is the church organ that has proved one of the cat's favourite haunts, to the dismay of parishioners.

"The organ keeps going out of tune and we can't find out what is wrong.

"We can only think that it is the cat.

"We found a hole at the back and its must have got through the hole and knocked something to put the organ out of tune."

Church staff have temporarily closed up the holes before full repair work is carried out.

The cat has also been spotted in the church grounds, but all attempts to catch it have proved fruitless.

Mrs Peall said that although it was a timid animal, she had the impression it was well looked after and probably lived in the area.

Church organist Philip Park said the organ needed retuning twice a year because it is such a complicated job.

It was last done in April, but specialists are due to fix the latest problem shortly.

Mr Park, who has played the organ at the church for 40 years, said: "The way you adjust the stops makes the top of the pipes move up and down.

"I think the cat has caught those as it jumps around and has effectively adjusted the tuning."

The cat's antics have caused some notes to play wrongly.

Parishioners have struggled on during regular services, but the out-of-tune organ has caused problems at some services, including weddings and baptisms, and even the ceremony to welcome new priest, the Venerable Nick Barker.

Mr Park said: "I can hear the notes that are out of tune and tunes don't sound as good as they should.

"Sometimes it can be annoying, but it really depends on the service."