12 June 2007: 26 Toes

They say cats have nine lives, but Des the cat also has 26 toes.

While most pet cats have 18 toes - five on their front paws and four on their rear - the 10-year-old Des boasts seven on his front and six on his back paws.

A cat with extra toes is called a Polydactyl. The extra digits have left owner Alison Thomas pondering whether Des is a UK record.

One expert said cats with extra toes were common in the area around the old county of Cardiganshire and were sometimes known as "Cardi-cats".