A SUPERCAT who refused to be given away has won a reprieve from his astounded owner after completing an epic eight-mile journey back home.

Tigger was taken in to Alice Sumner's home in Frederick Row, Blackburn, as a rescue cat about two years ago after her old cat Tiger died aged 18.

But she grew unable to live with the ginger tomcat's antics and a month ago took him to the RSPCA centre in Altham.

Mrs Sumner abandoned Tigger near the centre in a cardboard box with holes in and his name on the side.

Little did she realise that a month later, she would be asleep on the sofa and look up to see him staring her in the face. And the boisterous cat showed his temperament was unchanged by biting her!

Mrs Sumner said: "He's a cat in a million. I hadn't taken to him, but he's taken to me and I'd never take him away again. He deserves a home with me now.

"I did love him a bit, which is why I never wanted to have him put down. But after this, I'll do whatever I have to do to keep him because he's shown he loves me.

"I dreamt about him while he was away and wondered if he'd be OK. I feel like I must be dreaming he's home because it's such an amazing thing for a cat to do."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "We'd never condone anybody abandoning an animal and it isn't good enough to say they have been left at the door of an animal shelter.

"If anyone is struggling with an animal we'd urge them to contact the RSPCA or a reputable organisation for advice.

"It's not unheard of for cats to do long journeys. You often hear of them returning to their old home if an owner moves, but I don't know how they do it.