A WAVING cat ornament studded with Swarovski crystals was among the weird and wonderful items left behind at Oxfordshire hotels.

Travelodge has published a list of some of the less mundane lost property that was discovered in rooms and even car parks in Oxford and Bicester branches.

One customer managed to forget about their new Mercedes AMG, which was left outside Oxford's Abingdon Road Travelodge until its owner reclaimed it.

Travellers staying at the branch in Bicester's Pioneer Square left behind luxury goods including a set of four Prada sunglasses, a Rolex watch worth £5,000.

The gem-encrusted cat ornament, which is thought to be a symbol of good luck and fortune in Chinese culture, was left behind by a businessman.

Travelodge said in a statement: "He was so distraught about leaving his lucky cat behind that he arranged for a special overnight courier to collect it and bring it back to him."

Less expensive items forgotten in Bicester were a box of Christmas cookies and an abacus, according to the hotel chain's 'bizzare left-behinds' list published today. 

Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said: “For a variety of reasons we do get some interesting and precious items being left behind such as a cat called Yoda, a necklace made of £50 notes and wedding vows from the 1950s.  

“This year’s inventory list includes some interesting business-related items. 

“Our customers tell us that the pace of modern life is fast and furious and time is off the essence, especially when getting from A to B - valuable possessions are easily being forgotten.”  

She said possessions that are not claimed in three months are given to charity shops, but the items in Bicester and Oxford were mostly reclaimed.