Is troublemaker Rocky the UK's top cat?

A house cat from Derby is in the running to be named Cat of the Year for doting on almost all of his family.

Rescue cat Rocky is a companion to Abbie Evans, loyal pet to children Thomas and Lucie - and constant agitator to her husband Thomas.

"He's exceptionally good at winding up my husband," said florist Abbie, from Chellaston. "If Rocky knows there is something he can do, he will do it."

Abbie and her children will be heading to London in September to find out how Rocky has done in the Family Cats category of the Cats Protection National Cat Awards, and if he's in the grand final - while Martin will be staying at home, cat-sitting.

Seven-year-old Rocky's nomination alongside two other rivals comes for his loyalty to Thomas and Lucie, supervising their homework, making sure they eat breakfast, and greeting them from school.

Owner Abbie, 48, said: "He's just a very big, large moggy - there's no make and model for our cat. We do spoil him, probably a bit too much."

But Rocky's affectionate side does not extend to all members of the family equally.

Abbie said: "He's exceptionally good at winding up my husband. He likes to lie in the drive when my husband's trying to park his car, he likes to jump in my husband's seat when he's having dinner, walk over his head when he's watching TV.

"He just likes to wind him up constantly."

Rocky will find out his fate, decided by a public vote, at an awards ceremony in London on 24 September, hosted by writer Dawn O'Porter.

Abbie said: "We were quite shocked we'd got to the finals but Rocky has brought so much fun, love and laughter to our family, to win would be the icing on the cake.

"There's four different categories so if we win Family Cat of the Year he goes into the Grand Final of National Cat of the Year.

"Rocky doesn't go to the awards ceremony - he's got to stay at home with Martin while we're in London having a great time.

"Martin thinks it's a little bit crazy to be honest."

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