VETERINARY staff are trying to trace the owners of a black and white cat.

The healthy tom was taken to Wilson's Veterinary Surgery, in Bishop Auckland, on Wednesday night by a client who was worried it was lost.

The cat, which is in excellent condition and very friendly, had been at the Sunnybrow home for two weeks and the residents could not find its owner.

Staff found he was wearing a tag and had an identification microchip fitted.

Veterinary nurse Penny Blacklock said: "The microchip was traced back to the Cat Protection League, who had it registered with people in Darlington, but they have told us their cat is still at home. It seems he was part of the same litter and it is possible that the paperwork for the two cats was mixed up. He is lovely and obviously well looked after so we just want his family to take him back."

Anyone with information is asked to call (01388) 602707.