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University of Essex campus cat honoured with statue

Essex University Student Union Bronze statue of PebblesEssex University Student Union
The bronze statue of Pebbles was created by sculptor Gill Parker

A university is to celebrate its feline resident Pebbles with a statue of the black and white cat.

Essex University declared 5 March as Campus Cat Day in honour of the 16-year-old who was first spotted wandering around the site in 2010.

Semi-feral, Pebbles now prefers snoozing in the library to hunting, the university said.

The statue was commissioned by students and Chancellor Sarah Perry will unveil it as part of a day of celebrations.

Essex University student union Pebbles the catEssex University student union
A statue of Pebbles the cat will be unveiled to mark Campus Cat Day at the University of Essex

After being spotted on campus 13 years ago, Pebbles' owner was tracked down via the cat's microchip.

However, he returned to campus a few days later. His owner decided the cat seemed happy and so he was adopted by the CEO of the Student Union, Craig Stephens.

"The duck population diminished slightly when he was younger!" said Mr Stephens.

"But now he's actually a really placid cat. He loves being stroked and played with."

Now 16, Pebbles does not tend to go after the wildlife so much, preferring to laze around campus waiting to be fed by staff.

He can often be found snoozing all over campus during the day.

His favourite sleep spots include The Tony Rich Teaching Centre, the marketing office, and a warm available radiator.

Essex University cat Pebbles the catEssex University cat
Pebbles outside one of his favourite spots at the Essex university campus

As an unofficial university mascot, with his own social media accounts, including Instagram, the Student Union hoped Pebbles would attend the unveiling event, "although, of course, it's up to Pebbles how long he stays,"  it said.

Mr Stephens added: "He's a great cat around campus and staff love him too, especially when he spends time with them in their offices.

"He's well-loved and it's right that we're having a campus cat appreciation day for him.

"Pebbles has brought a lot of joy to people's lives, and a lot of students have taken comfort with having him here."

The statue of Pebbles has been created by sculptor Gill Parker and will be placed within the Colchester Campus.

The funds for it were raised over the last few years from the sale of Campus Cat merchandise and through alumni support, the student union said.

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