Larry's feline fine with his new Colne collar

Larry the Downing Street cat has a very wide grin on his face now that he has a new Colne collar.
Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat, sits on the cabinet table wearing a British Union Jack bow tie ahead of the Downing Street street party. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 28, 2011.  Downing Street will hold a street party tomorrow to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. See PA story ROYAL WeddingParties. Photo credit should read: Ben Stansall/PA WireLarry, the 10 Downing Street cat, sits on the cabinet table wearing a British Union Jack bow tie ahead of the Downing Street street party. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 28, 2011.  Downing Street will hold a street party tomorrow to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. See PA story ROYAL WeddingParties. Photo credit should read: Ben Stansall/PA Wire
Larry, the 10 Downing Street cat, sits on the cabinet table wearing a British Union Jack bow tie ahead of the Downing Street street party. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 28, 2011. Downing Street will hold a street party tomorrow to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. See PA story ROYAL WeddingParties. Photo credit should read: Ben Stansall/PA Wire

The famous feline inhabitant at the country’s premier address lost his previous collar in a well-publicised scuffle with “Palmerston”, a catty and aggressive neighbour at the Foreign Office.

Hearing the news, Peter Jagger of Stell’s Famous Pet Store in Colne, sensed a diplomatic crisis and swung into action.

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Larry (9) can now be seen stalking Downing Street with his multi-coloured collar, keeping a watchful eye on rival cats and intrusive journalists.

Peter said: “This story started when we noticed a newspaper report that Larry the 10 Downing Street cat had lost his collar in a confrontation with his arch rival Palmerston from the Foreign Office.

“We sent him a replacement collar and yesterday were delighted to received a letter thanking us from Downing Street.”

The pet shop in Norfolk Street soon received a reply, on Downing Street headed notepaper, thanking Peter for his intervention and enclosing of Larry sporting his Colne collar.

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The letter read: “I am writing to thank you for the letter and gift that you recently sent to Larry which was very much appreciated. Please find enclosed a couple of photographs of Larry.”

Larry, whose official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, is proving to be a steadfast inhabitant at Number 10 – having seen off previous Prime Minister David Cameron, the new PM Theresa May announced he would continue in his role.

Palmerston was unavailable for comment.