A CAT rescued from a war zone at a cost of almost £2,000 has gone AWOL.

Soldier Captain Alan Barker brought Howie the cat - named after his old regiment the Green Howards - home to Green Hammerton in February when his tour of duty ended in Afghanistan, at considerable cost.

But when he got home his other cat attacked Howie all the time, which meant Alan had to keep Howie shut in a bedroom which was not the life he had intended for him.

Reluctantly he looked for a new home for him and Howie went to stay with Paul Cordock in Strensall where he has lived happily until he went missing earlier this week.

Paul said: "Howie gets on with our other cat Poppy, but he went missing on Tuesday. He has never gone astray in the eight months he has been with us, so this is unusual.

"I had a delivery by courier My Hermes, and the delivery man, an elderly gentleman, was using his car. After he gave me the parcel I noticed that he had left his rear door open whilst bringing the parcel to me, then closed it when he returned to the car.

"I hadn’t been watching the car whilst taking the parcel from him, and I am now wondering if Howie jumped into the car amongst the parcels, and the driver didn’t notice him in the rear footwell.

"I have emailed My Hermes, and asked for the next delivery addresses after mine, so I can go and search for Howie, but have not heard from them yet. I received an automated reply which said they will make contact within 24hours. I had tried to ring them, but it was an automated reply also.

"Howie did not have a collar, but is microchipped. Alan had him microchipped in Afghanistan, but I have only just discovered that the contact details are not for Alan, but for the veterinary service in Afghanistan.

"I realise it’s only two days since he went missing but I am concerned that he will not survive long in the cold weather conditions."

Howie is a black cat, has big front teeth, long front claws, and a scar where hair is missing on one or his rear thighs. He is friendly, but, shy with strangers, and has a big appetite despite his athletic build.

If anyone has taken Howie in or knows where he is please call Paul on 07944 480933.