THE power of the Star was in evidence yet again last week when a cat lover was re-united with her beloved pet thanks to your favourite local newspaper.

Audrey Hartley, from Blackrod in Bolton, has been searching for her cream and ginger cat, Basil, since he escaped in July, from a relative's home in Lawrence Road, Windle, where he was staying while the Hartley's were away.

In desperation, she contacted the Star to appeal for help and followed up a number of sightings including one of a similar-looking cat in Rainford whom Audrey has now decided to keep if its owners don't come to claim it.

But she was absolutely delighted when, just hours after last week's paper (August 17) came out, she received a phone call from a house in Brookside Avenue, Eccleston.

She said: "It was from a couple who had seen my appeal in the Star and soon after, seen a cat in their garden who matched his description. When they called his name, he apparently went running up to them and when I went round to see if it was him, he came straight up to me as well.

"He had a sore eye and was thinner but seems a lot better after medication and a few days of rest and relaxation -- I never thought the sound of him plucking the carpet would be music to my ears!

"But I would like to say a big thankyou to the couple in Eccleston and to the Star -- without your continued support, I am certain we wouldn't have been re-united.