Preston Manor puss Kitty, who caused uproar when a cat charity removed her from her home, has disappeared again.

Kitty caused an outcry when cat charity Cats Protection took her away from Preston Manor, Preston Park, Brighton, claiming the tabby and white cat was a stray.

Kitty had been given the freedom of the manor's garden for four years until a catfight ensued over her care.

A staff member at the manor complained to the Cat's Protection charity that Kitty was not being cared for after 4pm when gardener George Harris went home after work.

Kitty was sleeping in the manor shed but the charity claims Kitty did not have a sole guardian, adequate veterinary care or shelter and she was removed.

Kitty's disappearance from the manor last February sparked a public outcry and dozens of people campaigned to free her.

The action by the charity was condemned as Kitty was part of manor life and even has a plot set aside for her in the pet cemetery there which was built by the manor's former owners, the Stanford family.

The charity agreed to return the friendly feline to the manor house when manor caretaker Hannah Schafer agreed to become Kitty's guardian.

Kitty was also microchipped so she could be identified. She was allowed to return to the manor gardens where she had dozens of fans who would ask after her welfare.

But the famous feline has disappeared once more and a reward is on offer for her return.

It is feared she was frightened out of the park by fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Gardener George Harris said: "She has been missing since New Year's Eve. We saw her in the afternoon but we haven't seen her since. We think she may have panicked and run off because apparently the fireworks were horrendous."

Posters asking for information about Kitty's welfare have gone up around the park.

Mr Harris, who often spends the day working while Kitty watches or curls up in his wheelbarrow, added: "In some ways I hope she has been taken in by someone and she is okay but we would like to know where she is. I keep hoping that when the weather warms up in the spring she will just come strolling back into the garden."

Caretaker Hannah Schafer said: "I miss her a lot and worry something has happened."

Have you seen Kitty? If you have, give The Argus newsdesk a call on 01273 544517 or email news@theargus.co.uk