BURNLEY MP Peter Pike's personal standing in the polls among some of his closest supporters suffered a disastrous setback -- after he mislaid the family moggie.

The MP said he was now "deeply unpopular" among members of his family after pet cat Thomas made a bid for freedom on Thursday afternoon and had not been seen since.

But the life-long clarets fan says he is hoping the black cat comes home in time as a lucky omen ahead of Sunday's crucial last game of the season against Norwich.

Mr Pike, 64, said he let the feline out of his house in Ormerod Road, Burnley when he went out to do some electioneering ahead of next month's poll but forgot to check there would be somebody in the house to let the cat back in.

He added: "I let it out when I left the house at about 1pm, but apparently I wasn't supposed to do that. Although it does go outside normally there is someone around who can let it back in.

"It usually makes it quite clear when it's had enough of being outside because it comes and bangs on the window, but nobody has seen hide nor hair of it since yesterday. I am now deeply unpopular with my family because of what I've done and I'm doing everything I can to get Thomas back.

"He's a very friendly cat who would probably go to anyone who called him to them so maybe someone has taken pity on him.

"He doesn't wear a collar because he's allergic to them so it's possible that someone may have him but doesn't realise he belongs to somebody.

"I just hope he's back in time for Sunday's match so he can be an omen for Burnley."

Thomas is described as a large, black cat with a white mark on his chest. Anybody with any information on his whereabouts should call Mr Pike on 07976 891801.