Venetia and John Diggle are now concerned that Flora, a long-haired tortoiseshell and white cat, may have been stolen.

"She's not the type of cat to wander off," said Mrs Diggle. "She has never been beyond the end of our close.

"She adored her home and our other pets. Family was so important to her."

Flora has been missing since lunchtime New Year's Day, and since then the Diggles have undertaken a thorough search of the area around their home in Dixon Drive, Chelford.

They have searched woodland with their pet labrador, in the hope he would pick up Flora's scent, or hear the ring of the bell on her silver collar.

The couple even asked a neighbour to dredge their pond, a favourite haunt of Flora, in case she had fallen in during the icy weather.

"We have searched everywhere, but have found no little body about in the area."

The retired couple are now concerned for her safety because of Flora's susceptibility to infection.

"She had cat flu when she was born and any little cold will turn serious if she gets it," said Mrs Diggle.