A cat rescued from the streets of Brunei and brought to York at a cost of more than £1,000 has disappeared just weeks after arriving.

Kuching, Malaysian for cat, disappeared from his Heslington Road home in February, two months after being released from quarantine.

And Doreen Magill, who taught English in Brunei, thinks the six months spent in quarantine with two other cats she brought back to Britain could have forced Kuching to stray.

She said: "They all got on very well when we were in Brunei, but that changed in the six months in quarantine when they had to share a cage.

"I think that really tested their friendship and since they came home it seemed they were getting on each other's nerves. It appears Kuching just had too much of the others."

The cat, now three-years-old, was living as a stray when Ms Magill found and adopted him.

To bring Kuching and the two other cats to Britain cost more than £3,000.

She said: "There are a lot of stray cats over there, and I took some of them in because I love cats.

"You would think he should be able to look after himself, but York is very different to Brunei. He is not used to traffic and he certainly won't be used to the climate."

Ms Magill's home in Brunei was on the beach and far removed from the bustle of York.

Kuching is typical of a Borneo cat, but his appearance is unusual in Britain. Born totally white, he has become dark and stripy since he moved to Britain, the change being caused by the temperature.

He wasn't wearing a collar, but is micro-chipped which means his owner can be traced by the RSPCA.

Ms Magill has leafleted neighbouring homes and contacted the RSPCA and the Cats' Protection League, without success.

She said: "I'm very worried about him, but I think that if he'd had an accident I would have heard about it.

"I think that it is quite likely that he has found someone to feed him and, if anybody does recognise him, I would very much appreciate being contacted."

Ms Magill's telephone number is (01904) 642948.

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