EXPENSIVE pedigree cats that vanished in the last two months may have been skinned for their fur.

Bolton pet owners have been left heartbroken after their cherished long-haired moggies - some worth £1,000 each - disappeared.

Seven top-class cats - three Persians and four Maine Coones - have already been reported missing to local animal charity Petsearch UK.

And Margaret Tennant, a representative of the animal charity, yesterday admitted she feared the pets may have been cat-napped for their luscious fur.

She added: "It's very strange that so many long-haired cats have been stolen in such a short period of time.

"I think they have either been stolen for their fur or they may have also been stolen to order."

In early November a Maine Coone cat vanished from its home in Bromley Cross and just before Christmas the seventh cat - another Maine Coone - disappeared from Radcliffe.

The stocky breed rocketed in value after one won a top national show in 1997. Breeders ask up to £1,000 for a top specimen.

Animal lovers Chris and Sylvia Macklin, of Warwick Road, Radcliffe, are still searching for their Maine Coone cat, Fudge, which vanished in December.

Nothing has been seen or heard of the 12-year-old neutered Tom cat - worth about £750 - since its disappearance.

Mr Macklin said: "It is worse than if the cat had died. At least then you can grieve for it but now we don't know if he's alive or dead. We've contacted all the local animal charities and agencies."

Many of the missing animals have been reported to the police but they can only be placed on the lost register.

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