Owner's joy as cat returns after 16-year absence

Sunshine strolled out of Carl Pullen's home in Hertfordshire in 2009

A cat owner was left "overwhelmed" with emotion after his missing feline returned after 16 years.

Sunshine strolled out of Carl Pullen's house in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, in 2009 but never came back.

Since then, the UK has had seven prime ministers, Manchester City has won eight Premier League titles and Prince Charles became King.

Mr Pullen, who now lives in Essex, said he was "so surprised" when a veterinarian called him on Monday to say the pedigree Bengal had landed on their desk.

"It was completely out of the blue," the cat owner said.

"The vet asked if I had a cat called Sunshine, I said yes I did and they said she'd been handed in as a stray.

"I was so surprised, I was overwhelmed really as I just didn't expect to see her again, especially after all this time."

Mr Pullen estimates Sunshine is 19 years old

Mr Pullen put flyers up around Welwyn Garden City when Sunshine did not come home and appealed for help finding her.

Ultimately, he conceded defeat and moved without his furry friend to the village of Takeley in about 2010.

"We figured by then we wouldn't see her again, but it was still sad to leave the house," he said.

Mr Pullen said Sunshine weighed about 2kg (0.3st) when she was returned to him, and he estimated she was 19 years old.

He added: "It's nice to have her back again and knowing she's going to have a nice end to her life now.

"She might not be with us for very long, but at least she gets a nice retirement."