New book tells 'tail' of Home Office Manx cat

A new book tells the story of an official mouse-catcher from the Isle of Man who worked for the UK Home Office.

Chris Day's book "Larry, the Chief Mouser and Other Official Cats" covers the felines who've lived in official government buildings over the years.

Pedigree Manx cat Peta was presented to the Home Office in 1964 and was the first female mouser for the government department.

In line with her celebrity status she was even given a pay rise and earned £13 a year.

Peta, originally called Manninagh Katedhu, was presented by Lieutenant Governor Richard Garvey and given the pay rise because of her 'diplomatic background'.

She was said to have received fan mail from all over the world, but her popularity meant Home Office workers gave her treats - leading to a 1967 complaint she was 'inordinately fat' and 'lazy in her habits'.

She also annoyed Prime Minister Harold Wilson by fighting with his personal cat Nemo, and once scratched his wife so badly she had to cancel dinner with the Italian Prime Minister.

By 1976, Peta had retired to the home of a civil servant, and Mr Day's book reveals she died in 1980.