A distraught family have driven over 1,200 miles to try and locate their cat which escaped in Beaconsfield last week.

The five-year-old black cat escaped when a family stopped at Beaconsfield services on their way from Manchester to Kent on Saturday afternoon.

The fugitive feline named Simba belongs to Zara Schofield, who was on her way to her boyfriend’s house in Tonbridge.

The 22-year-old from Radcliffe near Manchester, has had Simba – who is microchipped – since he was a kitten.

Zara’s mother Joanne has since made three separate trips to Beaconsfield, totalling over 1,200 miles, to look for the lost cat, but to no avail.

Joanne said: “Zara is devastated. She has even hired and put down a cat trap but it hasn’t worked.

“She has been back twice as well as me going back three times.

“We have tried everything. We have put posters up and left messages at the local hotel - there is nothing else we can do.

“He is such a loveable cat. He is friendly to anyone. I am hoping he has worked his way to someone’s house.

“We would be so grateful is the public were able to help us find our cat.”

Simba is described as being chubby with a thick, black coat and green eyes. He has a white tuft on his chest.

If you’ve seen Simba or have any information as to his whereabouts, email william.burton@london.newsquest.co.uk or call 01494755094.