A BUS was boarded by an unexpected passenger when a moggy climbed on for a ride.

The grey cat was taken to Cats Protection in Rayleigh after it rode on the bus for a few hours in Rayleigh.

The charity are now looking for its rightful owners.

Donnla Nic Gearailt, a volunteer at Cats Protection, said: “It seems she just got on the bus and stayed there for a few hours.

“She was admired and stroked and people even took pictures with her. Eventually we got a call and she was brought to Cats Protection. We did all the usual checks – we scanned her, did pet searches and shared the story on social media but we haven’t found her owner yet.

“We don’t think she strayed too far but we don’t know where exactly she came from as the bus goes between Rayleigh and Hadleigh.

“We need to find her owner but it is difficult because she isn’t microchipped.”

Although the owner hasn’t come forward yet, the charity have had people offering to rehome her.

Miss Gaerailt added: “She was pretty happy and relaxed when we found her, she wasn’t particularly timid. She sat on the bus, and didn’t hide – she even let people stroke her.

“Her claws are quite sharp which usually indicates she is an indoor cat.”

Pat Petty, who volunteers at Cats Protection and is looking after the grey moggy, said: “She is a pretty little cat. She somehow got on the bus and at some point the bus driver realised he had an extra passenger that hadn’t paid for a ticket.

“She has obviously had an adventurous few days and is very sweet but now we are trying to find her owners.

“I have never heard of anything like this ever happening but I guess cats like to wander. I once heard of a cat that had made its way all the way to Cambridge. Cats are so nosy, they will even jump into the back of a van.

“All credit to the bus driver who could have just pushed her off but somebody must be missing her – if she was mine, I would be frantic.”

If you recognise the cat, call Cats Protection on: 01268 750831