A FAMILY from Haydon End are desperately searching for their lost cat.

Sarah Day dropped her three-year-old cat Mabel dropped off at Bryony Hill Cattery on Sunday, August 6, before heading to the Isle of Wight for a week-long family holiday with her husband Paul and two children.

The cattery’s owner Sue Hood texted her the next morning to say that Mabel had escaped from its box and ran off before it had even got into the cattery itself.

Sarah didn’t tell her eight-year-old son Rhys or five-year-old daughter Lily about the missing moggy until the day before returning home.

She said: “I tried to put on a brave face for them and try to make some happy memories on holiday.

“They were gutted when I told them and I was completely shocked and upset when I first learned Mable was missing.

“I felt quite helpless stuck in the Isle of Wight but my family have helped look for her and I’m overwhelmed by the support from people online who have also gone out to look.”

Mabel is chipped and wearing a purple collar with a tag that has her name and Sarah’s phone number on it.

There have been a couple of reported sightings of the black fluffy cat but they turned out to be cases of mistaken identity.

Sarah said: “She’s definitely more of a house cat, she’s never been outside overnight before.

“I hope she’s stayed in the same area as the cattery or is trying to find her way back home but I honestly don’t know.

“I haven’t got a clue how she escaped, she’s quite shy.”

Sue Hood described the moment she realised Mabel had fled.

She said: "We put her box on the floor and went over to look at the fishponds outside with the children, then Sarah and her family went home.

"I cleaned out the cattery ready for Mabel but when I went to pick up her box, she was gone.

"We think she may have pushed the box door open and tried to follow her owners outside.

"This has never happened before and hopefully we'll find her soon."

The Days are offering a £100 reward for the person who finds Mabel.

If you spot Mabel call Sarah on 07855 415540.