Town's three-legged cat dies after 'being hit by car'

A three-legged cat whose endearing escapades around a Northamptonshire town delighted residents for years has died after being hit by a car, his owner said.

Salem became somewhat of a local celebrity after regularly being pictured wandering around Daventry and visiting his favourite haunts, such as shops and offices.

The friendly feline, who had a social media following, previously had his leg amputated after breaking it in several places.

On Wednesday, his owner, Erin Hills, confirmed the 15-year-old black cat, who she described as being "determined, cheeky, loyal and loving", had died.

"Salem, he really was my fur baby. I worried for him, looked out for him, taxied him, and loved him with all my heart," she said.

"We could all use a little Salem in our lives, and I was lucky enough to have that for 15 years - things will never be the same without him."

Interest in Salem started to grow after Hills set up his own Facebook page on which sightings of him would be posted.

Since his death, the group, which has 5,300 members, has been swamped with his fans posting tributes and photos of him on his adventures.

"Being Salem's mum wasn't always easy; it was very much like having a child," added Hills.

"The constant worry of where he was, what he was doing, was he okay, searching high and low for him and picking him up late at night in the pouring rain.

"I always knew I would be sharing him with the town - but all those things are what made Salem special."

According to Hills, Salem was struck by a car at about 15:30 BST before the motorist reportedly drove off.

Since then, Discover Daventry has raised more than £2,000 to fund a permanent statue of Salem in the town.

"You would see Salem asleep in a shop window, hopping through the town, or asleep under one of the film posters at the cinema," said Clemmie Clayton, from Discover Daventry.

"You could not come to Daventry and not bump into Salem. He was so cute and so adorable, so we are really going to miss him – it is so sad."

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