AN amazed cat owner has been reunited with her beloved pet nearly three years after it went missing. Jean Williams, 72, of Spring Road, Letchworth GC, thought she would never see Sheba again after she went missing, along with another of Jean s cats, Mitzy

AN amazed cat owner has been reunited with her beloved pet nearly three years after it went missing.

Jean Williams, 72, of Spring Road, Letchworth GC, thought she would never see Sheba again after she went missing, along with another of Jean's cats, Mitzy, in September 2003.

But Sheba, who is 17 or 18 years old, is back at home after mysteriously turning up in another part of the town.

A resident who had found Sheba called the cat warden who was able to trace Mrs Williams thanks to a chip in the cat's neck.

Mrs Williams was on holiday at the time but the warden was able to contact the vet who takes care of Sheba, who coincidentally is Mrs Williams' son-in-law, Donald Gillon.

When Mrs Williams returned from holiday, the pair were then reunited.

Mrs Williams said: "[Donald said she's fine. She's got a bit of rheumatism in one of her legs but apart from that she seems as if she's been really well looked after.

"I was amazed. I think after a few weeks if you get them back you're lucky. It just shows you chipping works."

Mrs Williams has no idea where Sheba could have been for nearly three years but does not think she was braving it in the wild.

"I don't think she's been running about. She's always been an introvert cat," she said.

Sheba has lived with Mrs Williams since 1990.

Unfortunately there is no sign of Mitzy, but Mrs Williams said her remaining cat, Red, appears to have remembered Sheba.