Cat named after sitcom celebrates 25th birthday

Dibbley is in good health - but is now a touch slower moving around

A cat named after the British sitcom The Vicar of Dibley has celebrated his 25th birthday, and could be one of the oldest cats in the country.

Dibbley, in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset, has been gifted a new collar, as well as a can of tuna and a packet of treats to celebrate the big day.

Despite his age, the moggy appears to be in good health, though does embrace his advancing years by mostly sleeping and eating.

His owners said he "does like to sleep" and ascribe his long life to his fish cat food, including the occasional nibble of salmon.

Named Dibbley, due to the white mark below his chin which resembles a dog collar, he has been in the same family since a kitten, but came in to the home of Caroline Riley and her son ten years ago, after taking him in from an ex-partner.

Rean Douglas, her son, mostly looks after the feline, and told BBC Radio Somerset's Charlie Taylor at Breakfast he has slowed down a lot in older age.

"He does like to sleep, but he will... stretch around in his sleep and scare himself awake.

"He still will jump up on me and cuddle - he's still a very cuddly guy."

Ms Riley said: "I didn't think he'd go this long!"

She added the secret to his long life is a famous brand of cat food, specifically the fish selection, and he also eats salmon oil to protect his coat.

He has been given a bag of dreamies to celebrate his 25th, as well as a tin of tuna, a new collar and some cat licks.

The oldest known cat in the country is 27, and lives in London, while the oldest cat ever was Creme Puff, from Texas in the US, who lived to be 38.

And given Dibbley's clean bill of health, he is right on their tails.