A POOLE pensioner is desperate to find her plucky pussycat that once "saved" her from a menacing intruder.

Broadstone pensioner Mary London is urging members of the public to keep an eye out for her beloved black cat Tom after he ran off following a trip to the vets.

The courageous kitty escaped from his carrier outside Pets at Home at Wessex Gate Retail Park on Thursday, March 19.

Despite several searches in the nearby area, he has not been seen since.

Mrs London said: “I had to take him to the vets to be bathed because he picked up a skin irritation.

“He had a collar on and wasn’t 'a happy bunny'. Being disabled I couldn’t carry him so had to put him on the trolley to take him to the car. He was in the carrier and managed to push the door open.”

The 79-year-old said Tom bent the door on the basket as he made his escape.

She said: “He bolted across the car park straight over Broadstone Way into the bushes outside Lok'nStore. He disappeared into thin air despite many kind people searching at all hours.”

In 2010 Tom was nominated for Cats Protection’s Cat of the Year award after he warned Mrs London there was an intruder in her home.

Describing the friendly feline as her “little prince among cats”, Mrs London said: “I was just sat watching the television in the evening and he came rushing through the door. He was obviously very disturbed. I thought he had brought in a rabbit or something but I went out and there was nothing there.

“He wouldn’t let it rest. I went back out and found a man hiding behind my office door.

"I told him to get out of my home and eventually he did. I would never have known he was there if Tom hadn't told me. Anything could have happened."

Mrs London adopted Tom from Cats Protection after he was taken in as a stray 10 years ago.

"He's very special to me," she said. "I just want him home."

Anyone who has seen Tom is asked to call Companion Care Vets on 01202 677 675.