WHEN John Cundy's parents died within a year of each other all he was left with was their beloved pet cat.

But the 35-year-old, of Beechcroft Road, Stratton, and his wife Caroline have been devastated after the Siamese cat disappeared.

He has scoured the neighbourhood looking for the lost lilac point pedigree Siamese five-year-old, which had only just become accustomed to living at his new home.

John, a delivery driver, said: "My mum died from cancer last year and my dad died recently. He did have cancer but then thought he was all clear. Then he was on holiday in Spain and they found a tumour in his head. They said on his death certificate it was cerebral mass tumours.

"Whenever I used to go and see my parents the cat was there. So now he's such a strong reminder of them. My mum and dad lived in a cul-de-sac, and we live on a main road, so he's not very used to roads.

"The only way I think he could have got out is through an open window, but it looks too high for him to have got out safely. I only hope someone finds him as he's my last link to my mum and dad."

Social worker Caroline, 40, has printed 200 A4 posters with a picture of the cat, which she has been delivering, along with Christmas cards, to houses in the area.

Caroline said: "My husband is devastated as our furry friend was all he had left of his late mother and father.

"He disappeared from the house while we were out on Saturday afternoon. All the doors where locked but my husband had left an upstairs window open.

"I'm so desperate to make sure he gets it back. His mum adored that cat."

John's mum Kate died at the age of 58 in July last year. She had been a nurse at Savernake Hospital and later the Great Western Hospital.

But months after retiring to look after her husband Robert. who was suffering with pancreatic cancer. she was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in July 2005.

Robert, a well-known taxi driver in the town, recovered from the pancreatic cancer but in October this year he fell ill while on holiday.

Tests showed it was brain cancer and he died abroad, seven days after his 63rd birthday.

Caroline said: "The cat was John's mum's most prized possession. She used to put him in shows.

"It had just started settling here. We have searched everywhere and knocked on neighbours' doors but nobody has seen him. He is so timid and we are scared he will be hiding somewhere or someone may have taken him in.

"It's been a massive trauma for my husband losing his mother and father in the space of a year and three months.

"He works all the hours God sends and he hasn't had time to grieve for them yet."

Anyone who thinks they may have seen the cat is urged to call the couple on 01793 700924.