Leamington cat owner shares her secrets after her THIRD cat reaches the grand old age of 20

A Leamington cat owner is celebrating her third cat reaching the grand old age of 20.

While it is unusual for cats to reach 20, it is not unique - but the fact that this is Polly Beidas's third cat to reach that age is remarkable.

And there is a common theme behind all the long-living cats - their footballing names.

Tommylawton (alias Tommy) reached the age of 20 (about 100 in cat years) on Monday April 26.

The other two were Puskas (1995 - 2017) and Mortensen (1996 - 2016), and all were from different litters.

So what is the secret of the cats' longevity?

"They all roam freely around the house, and outside, and although they all have their own special places nowhere is barred to them," said Polly.

"They have regular veterinary check-ups so there is documentary evidence at Medivet, Upper Grove Street, Leamington Spa, for all three cats' long lives."

Talking about Tommy, Polly added: "In spite of a bit of arthritis and kidney trouble, Tommy still climbs onto the chairs and gets himself upstairs, albeit slowly. Like many an old gent, Tommy is on tablets.

"Tommy was born in April 2001 when Coventry City were still in the Premier League, Tony Blair was Prime Minister, and nobody had heard the words 'Brexit', 'Covid' or smartphone'.

Tommy was named after England footballing legend of the 1940s Tommy Lawton, who played for Notts County in a black and white strip, not unlike his own markings.

However, it will be a long time until there are any more feline 20th birthdays in the Beidas family. 'Kittens' Cruyff (4) and Georgiebest (3 3/4) won't be 20 until 2037!