A CAT called Cuddles is at the centre of a ‘kidnap’ mystery in Kingsteignton where she was found after vanishing from her home in the London area two years ago.

The wandering moggy was discovered straying in the town by Laura Chapman and her neighbour in April when the alarm bells started to ring.

Disorientated Cuddles was briefly homed by Animals in Distress at Ipplepen before staff were able to re-unite her with thunderstruck owners Cheryl and Jason Willats who showed their gratitude by leaving a donation with the charity.

The couple, from Loughton in Essex some 240 miles away, thought they had seen the last of Cuddles way back in 2014.

There are now fears that the poor old pet may have been spirited away by catnappers, as her housemate - Buster the tabby - disappeared at the same time.

Cheryl is hoping hoping that Buster may turn up in the same happy fashion.

Cuddles’ rescuer Laura offered a glimpse of hope by announcing she had seen a cat matching Buster’s description in the area. She is keeping her eyes peeled.

Her part in the happy tale came last month when Cuddles turned up in her Slanns Meadow neighbourhood.

She managed to catch her and attach a note to her collar asking if anyone could help locate the owner. There were no replies, so Cuddles was taken to her sanctuary in Ipplepen.

Staff at the charity centre drew a blank when they discovered the phone number on Cuddles’ microchip was no longer in use.

But they did manage to track down the vet who inserted the chip - and he was able to provide them with Cheryl’s new contact details.

She said this week, after taking Cuddles back home: ‘I was totally shocked to get a call from Animals in Distress to say that Cuddles was in Devon!

‘We are so pleased to have her back home where she belongs. Buster went missing at the same time as Cuddles - and is still missing. I am so worried that he is also roaming the streets somewhere. The icing on the cake would be to find Buster as well.’

She added: ‘I will never give up hope as he is also microchipped. Both of them are very special to me as I reared Buster from a kitten, and also reared Cuddles’ mum from a kitten.’

A spokesman for Animals in Distress said: ‘None of us will ever know how Cuddles travelled the 240 miles from Essex to Devon - and what she has been doing for the last two years!

‘We are just glad that she is now home where she belongs.’