Stowmarket stowaway Oscar, the Tesco cat, travels to Elmswell after sneaking into customer’s car boot

A beloved supermarket cat took a short road trip to a Suffolk village after sneaking into a customer’s car boot.

Oscar, known as Stowmarket’s Tesco ‘Click and Collect cat’, found himself in Elmswell, near Bury St Edmunds, yesterday after shopper John Sturgeon picked up a little more than he ordered.

Mr Sturgeon was unable to collect his shopping due to a technical problem when ordering online – but he did leave the shop with an item that money cannot buy: Oscar.

Oscar, who has an owner but is a regular visitor to the Tesco Superstore in Cedars Link Road, has won the hearts of customers with his friendly nature.

John’s daughter Heidi Duhig said: “Dad got in his car and started heading back to Elmswell while listening to The Archers radio show and there actually was a cat featured on the programme.

“So he could hear a few meows on the way home - but thought it was just the radio. He is a bit hard of hearing anyway.

“I called him up and he said ‘it’s really weird Heidi, I keep hearing this cat. I thought it was The Archers, but I’ve turned it off now and can still hear it.’

“Then it clicked, I used to work in Stowmarket and knew about Oscar – I realised my dad had accidentally catnapped him.”

Mr Sturgeon returned to the supermarket when he realised what happened.

Oscar’s owner has been informed of his 12-mile round trip and Heidi said she is glad the adventurous feline made it back home.

Heidi added: “Dad was just a bit confused because he was so convinced the cat was just on the radio.

“Oscar is just a really well-loved character in Stowmarket and I know kids and adults alike all love him.

“He has definitely become a bit of a celebrity.”