Popular cat granted 'feline freedom of the town'

Thomas was presented with a ceremonial collar at a ceremony on Tuesday

A cat that spends its days visiting shops in a high street and greeting customers as they come and go has been given an honorary title in appreciation.

Thomas the Ramsey Town Cat was made a "free feline" of the area and presented with a ceremonial chain at a gathering at the Town Hall.

Local authority member Sandra Cottam-Shea said although the title was "symbolic", it recognised the residents in the town who look after the cat.

The five-year-old feline, which has its own Facebook following of more than 1,000 people, and sleeps in a yoga studio on Parliament Street in the town at night.

A local print shop has produced a series of Thomas-themed gifts

The popular animal even has a line of merchandise dedicated to him at one of the local shops to raise money to cover any future vet bills.

Cottam-Shea said she hoped granting Thomas the freedom of Ramsey would also raise awareness of charitable work organised by small businesses in Ramsey.

Thomas has been touring the town for five years and sleeps in a yoga studio at night

Suzanne Young, who owns the yoga studio where Thomas sleeps and came up with the proposal for the honour, said the cat's celebrity status in the town meant there were more proposal in the pipeline.

"We want him switching on the Christmas lights next year, and there's talk of painting a big mural of him on one of the buildings," she said.

Shop owner Russell Perkins said Thomas made those who met him smile

Russell Perkins, who often welcomes Thomas into his shop on Parliament Street, said he was a real "character".

He said Thomas had frequented his shop in the high street for several years now and had his own box to sleep in.

"Everybody when they talk about him, it brings a big smile to their face," he added.

Wendy Dawson was buying Thomas calenders to send to family in the UK

Ramsey resident Wendy Dawson bought some of the specially printed Thomas calendars for family members in the UK, which she hoped would encourage them "to get over to the Isle of Man".

She said: "I think he's wonderful... he's just so lovely."

Irene Quayle said the cat had become "part of the family" for many in the town

Irene Quayle manages a charity shop in the town, another hotspot where people may spot Thomas.

"He's here all the time, he has his own bed and sleeps wherever he wants," she said.

"He's been coming in here a couple of years now, he's part of the family, part of the furniture."

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.