A beloved pet, described by many as a symbol of Dorchester, is to remain in the town after fears she would move away with her owner.

The owners of Suzie the cat have announced that she is to stay in the county town and won't be re-locating with them to Hastings, as originally planned.

As previously reported, Dorchester residents and traders have been rather taken with the cross-bred Siamese cat after she was spotted around shops in Trinity Street and South Street.

Fans of the feline even set up a Facebook group to track her progress in the town called Susie's Travels in Dorchester, which now has almost 2,000 members.

On an almost daily basis, shoppers and shop workers have photographed the pet and posted pictures to the group.

The pictures document Suzie's travels around the town centre - making friends and calling in at shops and businesses on her rounds.

The Suzie love-in was all set to end in January after her owners, Michael and Linda Crow, announced that they were moving to Sussex and would be taking their pet.

However, the outpouring of love from the town for the wandering moggy has now seen her ownership transferred to their daughter, Jenny Graves.

Dorset Echo:

She said: “Mum and Dad went on holiday to the Dominican Republic earlier in the year and it was then really that we decided that she should stay with us.

“It’s so clear that she loves Dorchester, and we were getting messages asking if she could stay, and people were offering to pay for her care as well as all the children coming to town to take pictures with her.

“So she’s going from Suzie Crow to Suzie Graves,” she added.

Dorset Echo:

Suzie will be staying with Mrs Graves, and her other pets, cat Waffles and their dog.

Mrs Graves says Suzie 'has been adopted by the town'.

“It’s feels like it’s just a really nice story, and we just felt really mean taking her away and she will be very well taken care of when she's with us."

Mrs Graves went on to say that Suzie has now discovered Brewery Square, and has been spotted outside Wagamama and the Great Escape Room- which Mrs Graves joked, she managed to make it out of.

With Christmas fast approaching, Mrs Graves revealed how Suzie will be spending it.

Dorset Echo:

“She’s definitely going to enjoy her Christmas dinner,” she joked.

 “I know the local businesses have been talking about getting together a package for her, but they may instead donate the money to an animal welfare charity which is a lovely thing,” she added.