FROM purr-vert to Prince Charming, the infamous knicker-nicking feline with a penchant for pants has been revealed as a hopeless romantic.

Last month, three-year-old Basil was unveiled as a cat burglar after he targeted the washing lines of Hanover residents, stealing pants, socks and even knickers.

But his owner Jane Goodwin said the moggy’s attention has now been turned to the neighbour’s roses.

The American Express worker, who regularly finds the yellow-petalled flowers around the house, said: “The first one he bought back was put by my bedside.

“I used to feed him dried biscuits but now I’ve started giving him Felix pouches.

“Maybe it is his way of saying thank you for that.”

A yellow rose symbolises friendship and Jane has received four from Basil within the last month.

Jane added: “If only I could train him to bring back money - that would be good.”

The moggy’s underwear stealing spree lasted more than three months.

And it has now been revealed that one of the victims of his previous spate of thefts, teacher Dinah Clarke, is the owner of the stolen yellow roses.

Dinah, who no longer puts underwear on the washing line because of fears the cat burglar might strike again, said: “I tried to be more careful but I feel like I deprived Basil of Knickers.

“They were my birthday roses but I never throw flowers away so I placed them in the corner.”

The Albion Hill resident said she had harboured no hard feelings towards the moggy, despite his behaviour.

She said: “I think he is just lovely.

“Now that he has turned romantic, he should be called be Romeo, the little sweetheart.”

Basil’s mischievous behaviour first hit the headlines in The Argus before appearances in the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and Metro.

The purr-verted cat also made an appearance on Jeremy Vine on Channel 5.

His owner said the fame might have gone to his head and his sister Elfie seems to be a little jealous of all the attention the cat has been getting.

Basil’s best friend, a black cat called Dave, was reported to be his unconfirmed accomplice for the various knicker heists.