The ginger moggy went walkabout from Crawley in 2007 after being left in the care of a family friend while owners Natasha and David were working overseas.

He was later taken in by an elderly lady living nearby, who cared for him until she sadly passed away earlier this month.

Having been named Ginger, he was then brought to Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre, for rehoming.

A routine microchip scan revealed the details of his original name and owners, who were overjoyed to discover he was alive and well.

Deputy Manager of Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre Karen Thompson said: "All cats that come into the centre are routinely scanned for a microchip, and it’s not unusual to be able to trace owners for cats which have been missing a few months.

"However, it’s rare we find a cat that has been missing for such a long period of time. It seems that Tosha had become lost and started straying but was fortunate to have been taken in to a loving home.

"He has clearly spent the past decade being a much-loved pet, and while the circumstances of him coming into the centre are very sad, it’s comforting to know he can now be returned to his original owners.

"Tosha’s story goes to show why microchipping is so important. Had he never been microchipped we would have had no way of returning him to his home."

Relieved owner David, who now lives in Tollgate Hill, said he was thrilled to have Tosha home.

"When he went missing, there was never any sightings of him, so we assumed that he must have sadly been involved in a car accident,' he said. "It was very sad, and we were all very upset for quite some time.

"We were really stunned to get the phone call from Cats Protection to say he was alive and well and being cared for at the centre. After ten years, it really was a bolt from the blue.

"It was great to see him again – of course he is a lot older, a bit slower and is still getting to know us again. But we can see he’s the same old Tosha and it’s really wonderful to have him home again. We're just so pleased we had him microchipped, otherwise we'd never have had this happy ending."

To find out more about adopting any of the other cats currently being cared for at Cats Protection’s National Cat Adoption Centre, please contact the centre by emailing cattery.reception@cats.org.uk

The National Cat Adoption Centre is situated in Chelwood Gate, on the A275 between Wych Cross and Danehill. For a map and directions to the National Cat Adoption Centre, please click here