Some people might think having three or four cats is a little too much.

So what would they make of Jean Wilson, who over the past 13 years has provided a home for more than 500 cats and kittens?

The undisputed Catwoman of Crawley spends most of her time caring for unwanted and abandoned cats passed on to her by the Cats Protection League (CPL).

The 63-year-old retired teacher keeps a careful log of her many guests in a special book - complete with names and "mogshots".

Her home in Lancing Close is a shrine to the species. Every shelf and wall is festooned with paintings, embroideries and ornaments extolling the virtues of having lots of feline friends.

Jean said: "Some people might think I am dotty but I take exception to that. Looking after cats is my hobby and I have plenty of other interests to keep me occupied."

She has five purpose-built, two-cat pens in her garden and the food bill each year amounts to a hefty £720 - although that money is provided by the CPL.

It can be a bit of a challenge coming up with so many names but Jean doesn't go in for Tiddles or Fluff - her own five cats have sensible names such as Brenda, Bobby, Christine, Lucy and Linda.

"They are just like people and ought to be given names which reflect this. If you win a cat's confidence and it chooses to bother with you, it is such a great feeling. They are not as indiscriminate in their affection for humans as dogs are."

All the cats which pass through Jean's hands are vaccinated, neutered and spayed and microchipped in a bid to keep the numbers of stray cats to a minimum.

Janet Revell, from Cats Protection in Crawley, said: "Jean's a marvel. We are so pleased to have her as part of our team. She's doing a fantastic job."

Jean has got her eyes set on the 1,000 foster cat figure and she says it is a purrfect way to spend her retirement.

"Cats give me a purpose in life. I think I prefer them to humans."