A cat owner is hoping his massive moggy makes the Guinness Book of World Records after he grew so big, he no longer fits on his owner’s lap and is often mistaken for a dog.

James Potts, an accountant from County Durham, brought home his feline friend Rolo as a kitten last year, aged just three months old.

Rolo’s breed, a Maine Coon, is known for growing large but the mammoth mouser now measures up at around three-and-a-half-feet long and weighs in at more than 11kg, almost triple the size of a normal house cat.

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James, from Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham, told the Echo: “I got him as a kitten when he was just three months old, he turned one in December.

The Northern Echo: Mouser Rolo measures up at around three-and-a-half-feet long. Pictured: Rolo in his custom built 'cat-io' enclosure.Mouser Rolo measures up at around three-and-a-half-feet long. Pictured: Rolo in his custom built 'cat-io' enclosure. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“He was quite a large kitten and when we brought him we saw his uncle who was massive, so we knew he would get big as well.

“I went back to the breeders because I’ve got another cat since and the uncle looks pretty small compared to Rolo now.”

Maine Coons are known for being large cats, with an expected weight range of up to 8.2kg according to Purina, but Rolo has already grown beyond expectations.

The Northern Echo: Rolo the massive Maine Coon with James' mum Christine Potts.Rolo the massive Maine Coon with James' mum Christine Potts. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

A tabby called Barivel, a Maine Coon from a town near Milan in Italy, is the current Guinness World Record holder for the longest cat, coming in at 3ft 11in from head to tail tip when measured in 2018.

Record breaking cats are now measured on length instead of weight to prevent irresponsible owners feeding their animals unhealthy quantities in pursuit of a gong.

The Northern Echo: Rolo has his own custom made 'cat-io' enclosure.Rolo has his own custom made 'cat-io' enclosure. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

And James thinks Rolo may soon be contesting the world title and says he is expected to keep growing up to four years old, albeit at a slower rate.

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“He’s about three times the size of a normal cat,” James said.

The Northern Echo: There's no doubt who's chief mouser in this house... Rolo measures up at around three-and-a-half-feet long but still tries to be a lap cat.There's no doubt who's chief mouser in this house... Rolo measures up at around three-and-a-half-feet long but still tries to be a lap cat. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“He needs four meals a day and is about 11 kilos.

“He tries to be a lap cat but he’s too big. He doesn’t fit on my mam’s lap anymore - he tries but he falls off.”

James has even built Rolo his own special 'cat-io' enclosure outside to allow the puss to roam around.

The 36-year-old added: “We keep him inside after my last cat was run over but we’ve built him his own ‘cat-io’ enclosure outside so he can go out.

The Northern Echo: Despite his intimidating size, James says Rolo is a gentle giant and doesn't have a bad bone in his body.Despite his intimidating size, James says Rolo is a gentle giant and doesn't have a bad bone in his body. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

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“We’ve got to have a special carrier too for when we take him to the vets.

“He’s a real gentle giant. He’s unbelievably tame and placid. My neighbour and his granddaughter come around all the time and he’s great with them.

“His paws are huge and nails are about an inch long but he hasn’t got a bad bone in his body.”