A cat which has been missing for 14 years was found by gas engineers in Barnes this morning.

The cat was picked up in White Hart Lane, Barnes, and handed into a veterinary surgery in Richmond.

When its microchip was scanned it returned a contact telephone number for the cat’s owners, who said she lost it 14 years ago.

Richmond Police said: “The owner had stated she lost her cat 14 years ago, and now moved out of the area.

“However it is believed a local resident may have taken the cat in to look after it and these enquiries are ongoing.”

The cat is 14 years old, and was lost when it was about six months old.

It is a “little bit skinny”, police said, and had a low blood sugar level, which has been treated by the vets.

It is believed a local resident has been caring for it.

The vet has contacted the former owner, who now lives over 100 miles from Barnes, to see if she would like to collect it.

Microchip implants, which are about the size of a grain of rice, are placed under the skin of animals and owners’ registration details are stored on it.

In April 2016 it became mandatory for all dog owners to ensure their dogs are microchipped, although this does not extend to cats.

However the RSPCA advises cat owners to microchip their cats, as well as to use quick-release collars with information tags.