DIY shop stowaway finds home in time for Christmas

Leyland, named after the store he was found in, managed to elude the staff for weeks, set off alarms at night.

A stray cat that was found sheltering in a DIY store in London has found a new home in time for Christmas.

Leyland, named after the store he was found in, was transferred to Blue Cross's rehoming centre in Burford, Oxfordshire, that found him his forever home in Witney.

The six-year-old feline managed to elude store staff for weeks before he got caught and taken to the nearby pet charity's animal hospital.

His new owner said he was "settling in really well" and "asking for lots of fuss and cuddles".

Paul Kingsnorth, team leader at the Leyland store in Hammersmith, called Leyland "a type of cat burglar in a sense".

"We couldn't work out why the alarm system kept getting triggered but then we looked on CCTV and saw him – he enjoyed taking a wander around the store around 3am before hiding himself away.

"We don't know when he got in or how but he must have come in through the front door as there is no other entrance."

Mr Kingsnorth added that the cat "was happily purring" when the charity had helped them retrieve him from one of the units.

"...so obviously had enjoyed his stay in our shop," he added.

Elisha Webber, animal welfare assistant at Blue Cross in Burford, said they were "so happy" to have found the "sweet boy" a new home.

His new owner Andrea said he was "starting to show himself to have a cheeky character".

"Leyland is settling in really well, gaining confidence daily and asking for lots of fuss and cuddles.

"We were drawn to his profile and handsome photo on the Blue Cross website and knew we would be a great match.

"He is proving to be a great addition to our family and we're looking forward to making his first Christmas with us special."