HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND: Lynx disappeared from her home in Hook, Hampshire, in 1997, and her owner, Patricia Charnet, thought she would never see her pet again.

Earlier this week a stray was found in Carterton, Oxfordshire, and handed in to the Blue Cross centre in Burford.

A scan showed that the 12-year-old tabby was microchipped and the centre tracked down her owner, who lived 60 miles away.

Ms Charnet said that when the animal sanctuary phoned her, she thought they had made a mistake.

Lynx turned up 60 miles away 10 years after disappearing

"You still have it in the back of your mind," she said.

"And it happened this time, for real. That was unbelievable, it is a wonderful feeling.

"If only she could talk she would have a story to tell."

Mandy Jones, from the Blue Cross said staff at the centre were amazed to discover that Lynx had been missing for 10 years.

"I still can't believe we were able to reunite her with her owner after such a long time - it goes to show how important microchipping is," said Ms Jones.