A lost cat which turned up in an Oxford street has probably come all the way from America or Australia.

The mature female moggie is now in the safe hands of the Parkwood veterinary surgery in Banbury Road, Summertown.

Staff have nicknamed her "Scruff" because she was carrying no identity tag.

Hopes were raised that she could be returned to her rightful owner when a scan showed she had a microchip inserted under her neck skin.

But vet Sue Mulvey was amazed when she checked the chip number with a national database and found there were no records.

She said: "From the numbering it appears that Scruff was either in America or Australia. How she has ended up here is a mystery. People here in Summertown reported to us that she was hanging around near their house and that she was obviously a stray. One of our nurses went to collect her and she is obviously a very friendly cat who has been well looked after."

Because the surgery has no way of establishing the owner, it has appealed for help from Oxford Mail readers.

Ms Mulvey added: "Scruff has been microchipped abroad and the owners must have cared for her to have had it done. She's been brought here half way round the world and suddenly disappeared."

Anyone who can help should contact the surgery on 01865 554521.