Cat has loudest purr

A cat in Britain is thought to have the loudest purr in the world.

Smokey, from Pitsford near Northampton, reaches 92-decibels with her feline noises, making her ten times louder than the average cat.

Her purrs of contentment are even noisier than a hairdryer and a telephone ringing.

Her owner Ruth Adams said: "She has always been very vocal and purrs at some level nearly all the time.

"When I'm on the phone, friends often ask what the loud noise is. They can't believe it is coming from a cat."

She added: " It's either adorable or annoying, depending on what mood you're in."