Town cat remembered with statue

A statue has been unveiled of cat found in a snowstorm and later adopted by a town.

Riley, who died in January, was discovered in Ambleside, Cumbria, in 2011 and became a regular face there over the years.

More than £4,000 was raised to create the bronze figure as a way to remember her.

It was made by Cumbrian artist David Cemmick, and will be located in Millans Park, in the spot where she spent most of her time lying in the sun.

Laszlo Papp, who organised the online fundraiser, said: "She never really went into anyone's home, she was no-one's pet but also everyone's".

He said she was found on an "especially cold day" and he thought she had been abandoned.

Because she was "only little", he felt sorry for her and started to feed her.

Mr Papp said he did not realise how many people Riley had touched until he had set up the fundraiser.

He added tourists and locals all looked after Riley, and it was a "big sadness for everyone" when she died.

"We could all take a page out of her book because of her freedom and independence," he said.

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