THE first of the Hill Grove cats to be rehomed in the North West has found a new life in Bebington.

More than 800 cats were removed earlier this year from the farm - the only establishment in the UK to breed cats for research - when the owner announced he was retiring and the RSPCA launched an emergency appeal to rehome them.

One of the first lucky moggies to find a new home was 'Hebe', a smoky grey tabby which now lives with Michael and Gail Brennen in Bebington.

Hebe has forged a friendship with family cat Oscar and both act like they are old friends.

Mr and Mrs Brennen were among the first to contact the RSPCA before the cats were ready for adoption.

"I read about the Hill Grove cats in a newspaper and wanted one straight away, so I rang the hotline. We sent off the application form to Wallasey Animal Home before they even had any cats," says Gail.

She thought Hebe might have problems settling in because she was not used to a home environment.

But she says: "Hebe is a wonderful cat with a lovely temperament and a real mischievous streak. She loves to go out in the garden - but never goes any further."

Bernard Divine, the RSPCA's north west regional manager, says: "Unfortunately we are still experiencing a cat crisis and would urge anyone thinking about a cat as a pet to contact the RSPCA."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.