A “CAT-ASTROPHE” has hit the Leigh Art Trail as a gold leaf cat cut-out was stolen.

This year’s event includes a children’s art trail – CAT –with ten “selfie stations” set up with different cat characters.

But organisers have been left frustrated after Tiddles was stolen from the corner of Leigh Road and Broadway.

The cat selfie stations have proved popular, with hundreds of youngsters poking their heads through for a fun picture.

Organisers have quickly spread the word with #BringBackTiddles on social media and created a missing poster to try to get him back.

The poster read: “Missing in action ... have you seen our Tiddles? Last seen on Sunday June 9, opposite Henry’s Burgers, putting smiles on faces! Today our golden pussy has gone AWOL.”

Before adding there would be a substantial reward for his safe return .... “in the form of Malteasers”.

Despite having a bit of fun, organisers are not happy.

Jadie Oderholzer, who has been organising the primary school exhibition, said: “Tiddles is missing in action. He was stationed opposite Henry’s Burgers.

He was there in all his golden glory but he has been taken. We added the cats this year and they have proved very popular with the kids. We have ten in different spots across Leigh.

“It is a shame, especially as this is an element of the trail we have put on for children, you would have hoped people could have not been silly. What are they going to do with that anyway? Why take it?

“I seriously hope they did not think it was real gold, or they will be in for quite a shock when they try to cash it in.

“It was there to put a smile on the children’s faces, I don’t know why you would take it.”

The art trail began last weekend as Leigh Broadway was transformed with bunting and windows were bursting with colour for the 23rd art trail in the town.

This year’s event showcases the artwork of 66 artists across 52 different venues in Leigh ranging from painted skateboards, illustrations and quirky paintings to pottery and ceramics.

Shops and cafes became pop-up galleries for the day, with the community very much at the heart of the event which will end tomorrow.