RAILWAY cat Garfield was feline fine and back in his favourite place at the weekend and greeting his public.

The popular ginger moggy, who likes to make friends with visitors and volunteers at the Swindon and Cricklade Railway, had to undergo veterinary treatment and tests during the week because he was suffering a bleeding nostril and an unexplained lump on his head.

But the only salaried member of staff was back at work on the platform on Saturday and ready to say hello to his fans.

“He was there all day at Hayes Knoll meeting and greeting, being his usual friendly and sociable self,” said Adrian Thompson, who runs the friends of the railway’s Facebook page.

Many of the visitors had read about his illness in the Advertiser or seen the story on social media and were keen to go and see him.

In fact the railway sold £500 of train tickets “which for a Saturday when we are not having a main event is amazing,” said Adrian.

The railway is raising money to pay for the cat’s treatment and has already paid out more than £350. So far the fund has reached £660.

He isn’t covered by pet insurance because he doesn’t have a home with a postcode.

X-Rays were done on the lump and fluid was drained from it to be analysed, but until the results of the tests are back it is not clear what is wrong with him or how much treatment will cost.

The volunteers are bracing themselves for the possibility that it is a tumour. But Adrian said: “We have got our fingers crossed for him.”

Garfield, who was found as an orphan kitten and adopted by the railway more than a decade ago, is a familiar face around the station and engine shed at Hayes Knoll.

He has been known to hop on a train and take a ride down to Blunsdon, but is often to be found in the shed, keeping an eye on the restoration and repair work being done by the railway volunteers and angling for titbits from their packed lunches.

“You only have to open your sandwiches and he’s there,” said Adrian.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/garfield-the-railway-cat or in person when the railway is open at weekends.

If there is money left over from the treatment it will be used to buy him food and treats.