ONE furry feline is getting his paws into a different kind of work.

Mr Elliot Bigpaws, a five-year-old Maine Coon, has built himself quite a reputation – bringing smiles to the elderly and terminally ill in hospices.

Lynne Bullar, his owner, takes Elliot to care homes and hospices around the county, as cats are known to have therapeutic qualities.

Lynne, 58, said: “He’s extremely popular and visits hospices and nursing homes. People absolutely adore him – he’s a lovely, wonderfully gentle cat and gets lots of fuss.”

Lynne, from Tupsley, Hereford, has been running her business – Cats for Comfort – for around 15 months, and two of her eight cats go on visits.

Joining Elliot is Roo, an Australian Mist, and the pair are more than happy with their work - and “very happy” to be stroked.

Lynne is frequently approached by interested onlookers for a photo of Elliot, and receives regular comments about him.

“I take him to pubs and I take him shopping with me. When he goes on visits to hospices, people can be very near the end and he just knows that something is wrong,” she added.

For more information about Cats for Comfort, call Lynne on 01432 274178.