AN Eden woman has expressed her delight after a cat she thought she would never see again was returned to her home after going missing two years ago.

Rachel Bell, of Kirkby Stephen, is now appealing for any information about the three other cats that went missing with the one that has been returned.

All four of Rachel's cats were taken over night in July 2016.

Rachel tried desperately to locate her missing cats but did not hear anything about them until last week, when one, Romily-Eloise was found living as a stray near Tebay.

"I was absolutely staggered when I got the call from Eden Animal Rescue," Rachel said. "I was speechless, and when I did speak my voice was breaking I was so happy.

"An kind lady living near Tebay had seen Romily in her garden and had been encouraging her to come inside. She then took her to animal rescue, and they scanned her and got my details from the microchip.

"It has been an unbelievable surprise. It is so good to have Romily home."

Romily is very nervous following her years living as a stray, but Rachel says she is adapting well to living back in a home environment.

The return of Romily has also reignited Rachel's hope for the return of her other three cats.

"The cats were all just gone over night, and cats don't usually do that. That is why I think they were all taken together.

"That makes me think they may have all been dumped together and may be living as strays in a similar area."

The cats that are still missing are: Seven, a silver-grey tabby that is now eight years old; Thomas Excalibur, an all black cat with a white tip on his tail who is five and has a protruding fang; and Jareth Orion, a white and grey cat who is eight.

Anybody who has any information can contact Rachel on 07886267117.

"If it turns out that any of the cats are happy and in new, safe homes, then that will be hard for me but I wouldn't want to rock the boat and disturb them. I just want to know they are okay. They were all cats that I rescued.

"If any are known to be living as strays, then I just want to have them back at home."