Kind-hearted people in Wellington rallied round when they realised that Elvis the cat was unwell – they raised the money needed for him to be seen by a vet.

Elvis is a familiar sight around the town but his adopted home is the Nook and Cranny shop in North Street, although he tends to go to the launderette at night.

Maxine Price and her daughter Charlotte Beatty, of the Nook and Cranny, put a collection box by the till and soon had enough to pay the £78 vet’s fee.

Fans of Elvis also feed him various food – including kebabs: “The vet said he was overweight,” said Maxine.

“But we also think he might have been knocked down by a car. He’s very stiff, so possibly has arthritis, and he’s been sneezing a bit.

“He’s probably about nine or ten – he’s been hanging around Wellington for a few years – and everyone knows him as Elvis. He kept coming to us so Charlotte bought a bed for him.

“We’ve still got the collection tin for other things – and, of course, we don’t know at this stage whether that will be for Elvis or another good cause.”

Nook and Cranny, which is a hub for some 20 local craftworkers, artists and others, will be open for late night shopping from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on December 2 and 16.