A WOMAN who has worked in a cat rescue centre for 25 years has moved to Darlington with the hope of setting up a boarding cattery.

Muriel Marshall, of Whessoe Road, hopes to convert buildings near her home into the ten-run cattery, and also add other developments, including a double garage and oil storage building.

A planning application has been submitted to Darlington Borough Council and a period of consultation is due to finish on Friday. The planning applications committee will then determine whether it will be allowed to go ahead.

Approval would fulfil an ambition held by Mrs Marshall since she worked at the Willows Cat Shelter in South Shields.

"I've worked with cats for 25 years with the rescue side of things and I've always wanted to do the boarding side," she said.

"We are going to be very up-market - none of your chicken wire and concrete.

"People's cats live in luxury at home, there is no reason why when they go off on a fortnight's holiday they should be put in anything else."