IF YOU have taken a walk along the Saltcoats seafront over the past year, there is every chance you have bumped into Tony.

It's not often a cat could be considered a local celebrity, but that's very much the case for Tony.

The ginger feline is well known in the town for his wandering habits, and is often reported missing.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Many locals have seen Tony on his adventures and feared that he was lost.Many locals have seen Tony on his adventures and feared that he was lost. (Image: Submitted)

He's never genuinely gone missing, though – he's just a friendly family pet who loves a bit of affection.

The Herald recently spoke to his owner, who asked to remain anonymous – but who told us all about her family pet.

She said: "Tony is 18 months old and we've had him since he was a kitten.

"He's really sociable and sometimes a bit too friendly – he tends to follow anyone that shows him a bit of affection along the shore.

"People have been great. He's become a bit of a local celebrity – he's always down around the beach and normally very sociable.

"He doesn't seem to have great sense of direction, as he's good at wandering a little too far at times."

In recent months Tony has been spotted at Sainsbury's, the Lauriston Hotel, down on the beach and even in his local, the Albion in Dockhead Street.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Tony has some favourite spots in Saltcoats - taking in the scenery.Tony has some favourite spots in Saltcoats - taking in the scenery. (Image: Submitted)

He once followed this very reporter for a whole kilometre, from the play area at Winton Circus to the car park on Burn Road.

Despite Tony's fondness for exploring, his owner is keen to reassure the public that he does always return home.

"He loves his food," she said, "so he's in and out the house a lot, and normally eagerly waiting for his breakfast when we come down in the morning.

"I worry about him when he's been away for more than a full day, but he's never far, and the kids love a wee walk along the beach to find Tony.

"A few kind people have actually handed him in to the vet in the last year when he's ended up lost.

"We've also had a number of nice people getting in touch directly or via Facebook to let us know he's been wandering.

"Cats Protection know about him too and they got in touch once.

"A nice lady had reported him in, and they passed on my number. Apparently he was hanging out with her seven other cats in the greenhouse at her back door."

While Tony's wanderings do always bring with them some concern from his owners, Tony himself seems determined to enjoy the perks that come with being such a friendly cat.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Tony's affectionate nature always sees him treated well when he is out and about.Tony's affectionate nature always sees him treated well when he is out and about. (Image: Submitted)

His owner explained: "He used to have a collar – he's lost loads – and I put my phone number on it. Someone phoned me to say he was lost. He was just across the road, and I went to collect him.

"As I walked up, he was sitting next to a man on the wall, staring out towards the sea.

"Apparently he had fed him a tuna piece and a scotch egg so he seemed quite happy."

Tony's owner wants to assure people that if they do see him out and about, particularly down towards the seafront, he isn't lost – he just loves the company.

"If you see him down around the prom he's not too far from home," she added. 

"He is tagged and is well known to the vet as he's been handed in a few times."