A stray cat that walked into a Northern TrainCare Centre in Barrow two years ago is a whisker away from getting an official name.

After enjoying a meal there, the stray decided to stay, and the team adopted her, providing two beds and chipping in for vet bills and the daily grub.

Popularly known as "The Cat", she spends her days rodent-hunting and snoozing at the round-the-clock TrainCare Centre.

After falling in love with their four-legged colleague, Northern staff have taken the naming into their own hands.

A shortlist of four names - Mooch, Birdie, Sassy, and Debbie - has been drawn up.

The Mail: The stray, known as The Cat, awaits her new nameThe stray, known as The Cat, awaits her new name (Image: Northern)

 

Today, customers are asked to vote for their preference on the company's Instagram.

Neil Cornforth, a senior team leader for Northern, said: "Everyone looks after her, even the drivers come down and bring her food.

"She's a cracking little cat and she's really friendly.

"She catches mice around the place and there are a few other cats who try and infiltrate the depot, but she keeps them away because she knows she's got a good thing here.

"We were thinking about giving her a name and we came up with a dozen before drawing four out of a hat.

"We're looking forward to finding out which one people prefer."

Northern is the second-largest train operator in the UK, owned by Northern Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL.’

Northern provides 2,500 local and regional services daily to more than 500 stations across northern England.

They employ more than 7,000 people across the network.

In 2019, they added 100 new trains as part of a £500 million investment in regional rail, aiming to offer customers a better commuting experience.