Wells Cathedral's resident cat faces competition from local tabby

Louis (left) was adopted by cathedral staff about 10 years ago but is facing competition from newcomer Pangur (right)

A turf war looks set to break out at Wells Cathedral, where the resident tomcat is facing competition from a tabby interloper.

Ginger Louis has become one of the most photographed features at the cathedral since staff adopted him 10 years ago.

But his fur has been ruffled by local tortoisehell Pangur, who has taken to roaming the pews and sitting in front of the altar during services.

Lindsay Mann, from the cathedral, said Louis was not "enormously impressed".

Pangur is owned by Philippa Collings who lives near the cathedral, but he prefers stealing Louis' food to eating at home.

'Not best friends'

Ms Collings said: "He's just decided he likes the cathedral and the cathedral shop much better than he likes me, his poor owner, and he very, very rarely comes home.

"Two and half months will go past and he won't come back. He's just got far too much going on in his life."

Ms Mann said both cats appear to favour the same spots in the 12th Century building.

"Louis is quite firmly entrenched at the cathedral. He has his own basket in the shop," she said.

The 17-year-old tomcat is said to be "aloof" but so far there have been no major spats between the feline pair.

"The cathedral's quite a large place but they do tend to favour the same areas and I wouldn't say they are best of friends," she added.