Memorable tails and purr-fect pals were recalled when a care home near Alton celebrated their feline friend.

Elsy was the centre of attention when staff and residents at The Lawn in Holybourne marked International Cat Day.

The friendly British Shorthair has made the London Road landmark her fur-ever home after being adopted by a staff member more than two years ago.

So she got a little extra love on her big day, with residents also being encouraged to share stories of the cats they’ve owned and loved in a feline reminiscence session.

“The residents love all animals but especially cats – and especially Elsy, our very own care home feline assistant,” said registered manager, Steve Swift.

“The residents light up when they see Elsy. They chat away to her and, believe it or not, Elsy talks back, meowing and purring as if she understands every word said to her.”

While Elsy loves the company and attention, most of her time is spent eating or acting as the home’s “guard cat”.

The Lawn’s aptly-named activities co-ordinator, Catalina Constantin, said the feline reminiscing session was also popular with residents impressing with their knowledge.

She said: “The cat conversation was a lovely way for residents to tell stories of the cats they have owned and loved over the years.

“The residents are so knowledgeable about cats. One told me a cat’s nose is 100 per cent, exactly like a human fingerprint, and no two noses are the same.

“They also have scent glands on their paws which they use to mark their territory – two things I didn’t know.”

A few cat-themed jokes were also shared in a day residents and staff thoroughly enjoyed.

Catalina concluded: “Sigmund Freud once said ‘time spent with cats is never wasted’. That’s very true when it comes to our residents and Elsy.”