A BURNLEY cat which achieved international fame over claims it was the oldest in the world has died aged 38.

Tizzie, also known as the ‘Railway cat’, shot to fame around the world when her owners, Jim and Shirley Cowell appeared in the Lancashire Telegraph in 2009.

The feline, which had previous belonged to Mr Cowell’s mother, Winifred, had been rescued by the family after two young girls found her tied in a bag on the railway line at Rosehill in 1973.

Mr Cowell said: “When the two girls found Tizzie they gave her to my mother who had always been a big lover of cats. She looked after her for almost 20 years until we decided to take over.

“People have been secptical about her age but the young girls who found her and the picture of my mother holding Tizzie in 1975 proves her age.

“I am convinced she was the oldest. When she appeared in the paper we got emails and letters from all over the world. Even Bono from U2 sent Tizzie a congratulatory email.”

Tizzie, who had remarkable health until two years ago, suffered a stroke on Monday and after taking vetinary advice the family agreed it was fairer to put her to sleep.

Mr Cowell said: “Tizzie will really be missed. She was a very loving cat but she didn’t like other animals. She outlived at least half a dozen other cats but she had always been the matriarch. She would even hiss at her own reflection.”

The average life expectancy of a cat is between 13 and 17 years. Cats that live to be 21 are estimated to be the eqivalent of a 100-years-old.

Mr Cowell said: “I reckon there must have been something in the water in Rosehill all those years ago, as we also knew another neighbour who had a cat that lived until it was 36.

“We have burried Tizzie in the back garden and we intend to get a little plaque to remember her.”

The 2010 Guiness Book of World Records officially records the oldest cat as Creme Puff from Texas, who died aged 38 and three days in 2005.