MEET the feline world's equivalent to the baby-faced assassin.

He's cute, he's cuddly and he's the scourge of Preston's puppy population.

And Barney, pictured, is homeless - and taking a look at his criminal record it's not hard to see why.

For, behind that butter-wouldn't-melt expression lies the brain of a blood thirsty monster, who, while prowling the streets of Fulwood maimed several cats and left and dozens of dogs scared to walk the streets.

Barney is currently in hiding inside a house in Walton-le-Dale, being cared for by Christine O'Shaughessy, a volunteer for the Lancashire Cat Rescue.

But despite his bad boy past, according to Christine Lomax, who runs the rescue service, all Barney wants is a loving home he can call his own - preferably away from any animals or small children!

Christine said: "He looks so adorable but when it comes to other animals he is evil! We've tried moving him in with several people but every time he's started attacking cats nearby.

"He's not scared of dogs either. He's taken them on, and won!

"We thought we'd managed to find him a home a few weeks ago and he left at 5pm on the afternoon but was back at 9am the following morning because he'd got up to mischief!" The rescue service is also home to another cat called Lennox, who is a fighter. But next to Barney the bruiser, says Christine, he's a pussycat!

She added: "With the right person, he will be fine. He is excellent with humans, it is just the four-legged companions she struggles to get on with - and they tend to lose!"

Barney is among 25 cats currently being cared for by Lancashire Cat Rescue, all in need of permanent homes. Other cats wanting homes or looking for sponsorship include Arthur, a poor tramp of a cat who has spent his life on the streets of Penwortham, and is so undomesticated he gets his bedding and cat litter tray mixed up!

If you can help, call Christine on (01772) 750263.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.