A CAT with a wanderlust, which has been missing for four weeks, has finally turned up - 350 miles away from his home.

The Burmese, called Gallagher, was spotted by teenager Bernice Foster wandering around Dundas Street in Stockton on Sunday.

She called the RSPCA and Kirsten Anderson went to collect Gallagher.

She took him to the Great Ayton Animal Centre, where he was scanned for a microchip which revealed his owner, Rachel Pedley, had reported him missing from her Portsmouth home.

Rachel said: "Ever since I bought Gallagher he has been nothing but trouble.

"He loves travelling in cars and vans and one time managed to end up 20 miles away after hitching a lift.

"I've tried everything to keep him out of getting into scrapes. I even take him for a walk on a lead.

"He's a real attention seeker but I love him to bits and it's great to have him back."

Kirsten said: "Apparently Gallagher has a fondness for jumping into cars, so we think he must have climbed into a van or truck and accidentally hitched himself a lift up north.

"Luckily he was microchipped. If he wasn't, there is no way we would have been able to reunite him with his family."

Miss Foster, 19, said: "I first saw him on Saturday in the back yard and gave him some milk.

"He is really beautiful - a lovely ginger and cream colour. I love animals and wish I could have kept him, but my mum doesn't like cats and there are two younger children in the house, so it may have not been that practical.

"I am just glad I have been able to reunite Gallagher with his owners and am pleased he is able to return home after all this time."