A loving ginger cat who was dubbed "unwanted" by staff at an animal shelter because hardly anyone had shown interest in him has finally found a happy home.

After spotting our article about sad cat Oscar on Staffordshire Live, Kate Allen was so moved she contacted Burton's RSPCA shelter in a bid to rehome the lovable older cat with her mother.

Within a day of the article, Oscar was on his way to his new home in Winshill and has been renamed Erik.

A plea on his behalf from the RSPCA went viral after appearing on Staffordshire Live and was shared 5,000 times on our Facebook page, reaching more than 320,000 people.

Kate told Staffordshire Live: "My mum had been looking for a cat as hers had died about a year and a half ago.

"As she is older herself she didn't want a kitten; she wanted an older one who would perhaps be a bit quieter.

"He had been adopted before but I think was sent back to the RSPCA as he had scratched a lady.

"My mum wouldn't mind that. We have always had cats and have grown up around them.

"He's as happy as Larry now. He was a bit scared to begin with."

Talking about the amazing reaction to Oscar's story, Kate said: "I couldn't believe it really.

"Every time I had a notification on my phone it was from someone replying to my messages on the Facebook post.

"I don't think people like it when cats are just abandoned, so they were really pleased he had found a home and someone has taken him on and appreciates him."