Beloved Didcot cat cuts the ribbon of new shop

The store thanked the cat's family for being there on the big day

A cat that became famous among a town's residents after being frequently spotted in shops, has officially opened a new local store.

Two-year-old tabby Willow attended the ribbon cutting of Dunelm in Didcot, Oxfordshire, on 19 December.

The cat has a big social media following and his own Facebook fan page called The Adventures of Willow.

Staff members shared videos thanking the cat and his family "for coming down to cut the ribbon".

Didcot resident Jane Waring captured Willow "having a wander around just after the opening"

The homeware store is the latest addition to The Orchard Centre where Willow meet the locals.

His online popularity grew after pictures and videos of him in various places around the town centre started circulating on social media.

Willow has been admired for his "confidence" and "loving" nature

Didcot resident Steph Newman-Johnston shared a picture of Willow at the opening: "My partner sent me these today on her visit, it was the first time she met Willow and was amazed at how confident he is and how loving.

"He seemed to be enjoying his new toy and checking out the artificial plants," she added.

The adventurous tabby surprised an Abingdon resident by jumping in her car

Abingdon resident, Cherie Belcher, said she had never heard of Willow before: "I carried on with my shopping, went to load up my car and, as fate would have it, along comes this beautiful cat," she said.

"He jumped in my car, he made himself comfortable in my granddaughter's car seat and had a wash.

"I've not seen him since but hope to meet up with him again, I took pic to show my granddaughters."

Further comments and pictures of the opening day confirmed that the new store "is definitely Willow approved".

Willow never goes unnoticed when he is out on his rounds in the area

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