A BELOVED stray cat who went missing from his home for two years has finally returned to his worried owner.

Monty was found taking shelter in a garden in Farley Hill, a village three miles away from his humble abode in Arborfield, Wokingham in 2017.

A quick scan of his microchip revealed details of the owners who had been searching for their "much-loved" ever since he went missing.

Lydia Butler, Monty's owner, said: "We had only just moved to our new home and despite keeping him indoors, Monty had snuck out of a small gap and must have become disorientated." The family were at breaking point and came to the conclusion Monty was hit by a car and died.

Aaron was particularly devastated, explained his mum Lydia, as Monty and Aaron were "inseparable" and he always thought about his cat.

She added: "We were so devastated and searched the streets, putting up posters and delivering fliers, but there was no sign of Monty at all.

"Eventually, and with a heavy heart, we came to the conclusion he had probably died in a road accident." To the families luck, Cats Protection delivered the good news that Monty had been found.

Lydia added: "We were absolutely over the moon when Cats Protection called to say he’d been found."

The Cats Protection Charity have said that this happy reunion comes after a simple microchip.

The charity wants a change in the law to ensure all owned cats and dogs are microchipped so they can be returned to their owners if they are lost and missing.

Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection Head of Advocacy and Government Relations, said: "It’s always lovely to hear of stories where cats have been reunited with their owners, but most of these happy endings are only possible if a cat has been microchipped.

“Microchipping is an essential part of responsible pet ownership, and is already compulsory for dogs.

"This should now be extended to ensure all owned cats are microchipped, giving the same level of protection to keep them safe and protected.”