IT is a journey of more than 1,300 miles that has left one unexpected visitor a very long way from home.

Stray cat Mimi recently turned up at a house in Cransford, near Framlingham.

In an bid to find her owner she was taken to a local vet to see if she was micro-chipped - a move that led to a surprising discovery.

For the chip was issued in Romania, indicating that tiny Mimi had travelled from one side of Europe to the other, ending up in the Suffolk countryside.

It is not known whether she arrived legally with a family or by other means but - after a spell in quarantine - she is in the care of the Framlingham and Saxmundham branch of Cats Protection. The charity is now appealing for someone to give her a good home.

Irene Mulley, who has been looking after Mimi, said: “We don’t know how she arrived in Suffolk. She may have entered legally, but we have no way of knowing.

“The woman whose house Mimi walked into did say she put up posters in Cransford but no one has come forward.

“The quarantine process is now all complete and we need someone to look after her.

“She’s a very small cat, so it’s difficult to say how old she is but we think around five months. She sometimes jumps onto your shoulders so whoever takes her will have to have a lot of patience.”

Mimi is now being looked after by branch co-ordinator Gillian Clark, who added: “She is a lovely little cat and very energetic. We’d love someone to give her a good home.” If you would like to help contact the branch on 01728 723499.