A CAT lover today issued a warning to fellow feline owners after her pet disappeared, leading to fears it had been cat-napped.

Murielle Elliot, of Foxhill Drive, Whitewell Bottom, believes her semi long-haired cat, Mr Darcy, who is not a pedigree, has been stolen to order and she is desperate to ensure the safe return of the young cat, which went missing on Wednesday afternoon.

She remembers seeing a white van in the area two days before her one-year-old cat vanished. She said: "I saw the van and heard talking, one person said 'I've got it' and the other said 'that's not it,' but I didn't suspect anything at the time.

"On the day Mr Darcy went missing I was washing up and saw a white van open its doors and then drive off at speed. I didn't see them take anything or take Mr Darcy, but I am sure that's what has happened. I feel so stupid now. If only I had kept him in he would still be here."

Murielle fears Mr Darcy was taken for his fur and wants to warn people in Rossendale to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

She has had some posters printed and distributed them to local shops and put them on street lamp posts, but hasn't yet heard anything.

She added: "It makes me feel sick to think there are criminals like this out here doing things like this. I can't bear to think of him being tortured, which is why I want to highlight the problem to prevent more animals from being taken away from their homes.

"Animals have rights, too, including a right not to be taken from their homes."

Mr Darcy has a black face and black and white white whiskers. He has three black legs and one black with a white stripe, a white chest, a bushy tail with a cream and white tip.

A police spokesman, confirming they had received a complaint, added: "We are currently investigating what has been reported."

If anybody has any information they should contact police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.