A grumpy-faced cat who stole the hearts of many during the pandemic after being taken in by a rescue charity has died.

Arthur became the face of Wisteria Cat Rescue in Walderslade, Chatham after he was helped by the charity in 2020.

Owner Billy Devitt paid tribute to his best friend, who had suffered poor health in recent months. He died of kidney and liver failure on May 27.

“Arthur was and will forever be the son that I never had,” he said. “Arthur was very unique and grew to gain the name of Grumpy Arthur.”

During the three years he was at the charity, the Persian feline became a bit of a local celebrity. The moggie racked up a huge fan base, featured on ITV's national news and even stole the heart of Kent-based animal lover, the late Paul O’Grady.

When he first arrived, Billy said he took to him instantly.

“His coat was in a particularly bad way and he pulled at my heartstrings almost instantly, he had attitude and he told you when he had enough - pretty much like myself,” his devastated owner said.

Because of lockdown restrictions the cat, whose owner could no longer afford to look after him, was forced to stay at the centre longer than other rescue animals. He arrived during the first lockdown and then never left.

Billy, who was described as a lockdown legend by national newspapers, said: “Arthur had one of those faces of whom you could only love and he had an absolute attitude. He became like my little best friend.

“He never left my side. He definitely thought he was the manager of the charity. He ruled the roost. He sat with me while I did my adoption paperwork and wanted to be in all the videos.”

And Billy said he wasn’t like other cats.

“He didn’t go out and he wasn’t all independent,” he said. “He was just glued to my side.”

Billy said in recent years his beloved buddy’s health had began to fail. He had cysts on his liver and was in the late stages of kidney failure.

Billy said his condition was being managed with medication but his body suddenly had enough.

Recalling his final day, Billy said: “He was unable to get up and I rushed him to the vets.

“He was wired up to all different machines and he just gazed at me. My heart sank. I knew he was suffering and that was not ok.”

Describing Arthur as his best friend, he said he was forced to make the hearbreaking decision to let him go.

“Arthur will forever be special,” he said. “His face is the face of Wisteria and he has created something wonderful.”

Describing their final journey back home after the vets, Billy said: “We took a final drive in his van that has his face all over it and headed for the crematorium. The drive that takes over an hour felt like five-minutes but I chatted to him the entire way.

“I thanked him for everything. He taught me so much about myself and I adored every bone of him.”

Billy, who set up Wisteria Cat Rescue in 2020 having previously volunteered for a larger organisation, said Arthur won fans across the country when he first appeared on KentOnline.

He said: “Paul O'Grady even got in touch with us over Instagram to congratulate and wish us well with what we're doing at Wisteria Cat Rescue, that was really nice, especially as he is such a big animal lover.”