A couple have had their wedding day thrown into turmoil after their pet cat stowed away in their van to their woodland venue and went missing among the trees.

Alex Harris and Alice Burt are set to tie the knot at Longton Wood near Maidstone later today – but what should be a joyous occasion has now been overshadowed by the disappearance of four-year-old tabby Honey.

The couple, who are from The Grove in Biggin Hill, went to the venue yesterday afternoon to deliver wedding supplies, but were unaware their beloved pet had managed to sneak into the van they were driving.

They spotted Honey on arrival at the woodland spot, but she became frightened and fled into the trees. Despite their best efforts to call her back, the skittish feline ran off and has not been seen since.

Miss Burt, 30, told KentOnline the pair are desperate to be reunited with their cat.

She said: “We had loads of props and stuff to take to the wedding, so we borrowed a friend’s van and loaded it all up, not realising Honey had got into the van.

“When we got to the venue, they unloaded the van and my sister said she could hear miaowing, and I saw the cat in the woods. I suddenly realised it was our cat. We tried to call her over to us, and go towards her, and she just ran into the woods.

“We could hear miaowing for a while, but then we couldn’t hear her any more. We looked for a few hours but couldn’t find her.

“It’s very upsetting, especially on our wedding day. It’s distracted us a bit, obviously. We’d rather just get her back and not have a wedding, to be honest.”

The couple have taken to social media to appeal for people locally to look out for Honey. Although the area is very rural, with few neighbouring properties, they are hopeful that dog walkers or others using the woods may find her.

“She’s very friendly, but she’s quite skittish,” Ms Burt said. “So she would likely be very scared, she was very scared yesterday.”

Anyone who sees Honey or has information which might help the couple find her should call Ms Burt on 07947 776661.