The owner of a supermarket-visiting cat has spoken about his pet's new-found fame and why he is worried about the famous feline's safety.

Tyson, nicknamed 'the Asda Cat' following frequent trips to the Ashford store, has caused a stir on social media.

Almost daily, shoppers post updates and pictures of the cat, known for lounging in the supermarket's heated entrance foyer.

Now his owner - Darron Sharp - fills us in on Tyson's past, along with his thoughts and fears on the cat's public presence.

Mr Sharp noted that, like previous Asda Cat Sammy, Tyson has had a history of adventure.

Previously, the furry escapologist disappeared for two years and was feared dead until he turned up at the Post Office in Charing.

Four or five months ago, a call came to say Tyson had been found in Chigwell, Essex.

Mr Sharp, who lives in Newtown, said: "We got him quite young from a cat rescue centre. We think he wasn't groomed much by his parents, so he was basically hand-reared by humans and that's why he likes human company.

"The response to Tyson has been fantastic to be honest, although I'm a bit worried as I saw two cats have been killed in the area.

"He's been going to Asda on and off for two years now. Because he was hand-reared we can't stop him going, but there's been pictures of him jumping into people's cars which we're slightly worried by.

"We've also got quite a lot of calls from vets, because people took him there thinking he was a stray."

Mr Sharp and his wife, who have five cats including Tyson, say if they take him home he will stay around the house for a few days before returning to his usual haunt.

Though they've enjoyed the positive public reaction to him, they're worried that someone may try to take him or hurt him.

Mr Sharp recounted how they had to shell out £2,300 for a vets bill after "someone kicked him in the rear leg and it was broken - he had to walk with it back home".

He also asked that no one feed Tyson, saying: "The problem seems to be some of the members of staff at Asda have basically adopted him and are feeding him.

"So he's not coming home and we have to check up on him now and again by going there."

Tyson was taken back home and kept in over Christmas, due to the shop's early closing hours over the festive period.

Tyson is the latest in a list of 'Asda Cats', all of whom have found their way to the Ashford store.

Previously there was Sammy - who died following a dog attack and now has a memorial plaque in the shop - and prior to that there was Daisy.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.