A CARING cat which helped a terminally ill teenager cope with her cancer treatment has been named as a finalist in a national cat competition.

Tabby cat Nala and her owner Charlotte Eades were inseparable as the Brighton teenager fought an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Charlotte died in February 2016, just weeks after she turned 19.

The 15-year-old feline had been part of the Eades family since Charlotte was seven, and Charlotte’s mother Alex said they grew even closer following her daughter’s diagnosis.

Alex said: “They grew up together and both had such a sense of fun.

“When Charlotte became ill, that bond grew even stronger. Nala was at her side through thick and thin. During everything Charlotte went through, Nala was there for her to stroke, cuddle and talk to.

“That friendship meant everything to Charlotte and it gave her the determination to make the most of every day she had.”

After being diagnosed, Charlotte started video blogging on Youtube.

Her content became very popular for its humorous and honest look at the ups and downs of life with the disease, as well as her love of fashion and, of course, her cat Nala.

Her mum, Alex, said that since Charlotte’s death Nala had continued to be a huge support to her and her son, Miles.

She said: “Since we lost Charlotte, Nala has helped Miles and me so much. We sometimes watch Charlotte’s old YouTube videos and Nala still recognises her voice.

“Nala is a link to Charlotte but she’s also so much more. She really is the constant in our lives, the heart of our family.”

Nala has been named as a finalist in Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2019.

She beat hundreds of other entrants to take her place as one of three contenders in the Outstanding Rescue Cat category, celebrating cats that have been adopted from rehoming charities.

The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at London’s Savoy on August 8.

If Nala wins her category, she will also be in with a chance of being crowned National Cat of the Year, following in the paw prints of previous winner Theo, who helped his owner Charlotte Dixon survive a potentially fatal blood clot.

Cats Protection’s awards organiser Kate Bunting said: “Charlotte was clearly a devoted owner and it was her love, care and attention for Nala that created such a bond between them.

“It’s incredibly moving to hear how important Nala was to Charlotte and how Nala is now helping the whole family as they come to terms with their loss.”