IT'S a rags to riches tail that Walt Disney would be proud of.

Tanya, an 11-year-old moggy from Preston, has gone from homelessness to cat show supremo and even founded her own cat club!

Now Tanya's eventful life is set to be rewarded at The Arthur's Awards in London - the cat kingdom's version of the Oscars.

And according to owners Carol Walker and Pat Creaton, there is no puss more deserving than their long, white-haired cat, who now resides in St Saviour's Close, Bamber Bridge.

Pat said: "Tanya was four years old when she was dumped because her owners had a new baby.

"Tanya was very bewildered and would have died had we not taken her in. Even then, it took her months to regain her confidence."

Tanya is now the mascot of the Bamber Bridge-based South Ribble Cat Club Welfare Trust, which was created after she won a string of awards at big cat shows, including the honours at the Supreme Cat show in 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Carol added: "Tanya's amazing spirit inspired us to set up the club, which grew into a Welfare Trust and became a registered charity in 1995."

Tanya, who retired from shows two years ago, is now waiting with crossed paws to see if judges think she is most worthy of the silver award to become North West winner, giving her chance to scoop the golden Arthur award.

Now miaows that for a heart-warming story?

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