But his new owners are now desperate to find him a good home - elsewhere.

Billy, a scrawny, scruffy black cat had arrived at the Maidment household in Knutsford unannounced, wandering in through the cat flap.

Henry, the family's resident cat, had not realised he was being followed as he headed home for tea.

But Billy soon made friends with the family and has stayed ever since.

"He is a very affectionate cat," said owner Diane Maidment. "But he wants a lot of attention

"We can't sit down for a second without him jumping on our knees for a cuddle."

Eight months on and trouble is brewing.

"Henry is jealous of the amount of attention that Billy gets from us," said Diane. "He must feel left out because he was used to being the centre of attention."

The cats' friendship became so strained that Diane's husband, Allan, took Billy to a Manchester animal centre to be rehomed.

But after two days he returned to the centre to reclaim Billy.

"We telephoned to see if they had found him a new home but he was still there," said Diane.

"And we just couldn't bear to leave him because we knew he needed so much affection. We had no choice but to bring him home."

But with the two cats constantly fighting for attention, finding a new home for Billy is their only option.

"If we could keep him we would because he such a lovely cat," she said. "But we have had Henry for years and he is just not happy."

If you can offer a loving home, call Sally Shaw on 0161 832 4140.