BLACK cats are notorious for bringing people bad luck.

But Poppy must have an abundance of good fortune because she was returned to her owners who had given her up for dead six months ago.

The Wootton Bassett branch of Cats' Protection traced Steve Blackwell, 47, and Kate Parry, 37, through a microchip implanted in Poppy, which the charity had rescued.

"We were ecstatic when Poppy was found. I couldn't believe it and just cried my eyes out." Kate said.

"We were devastated when Poppy disappeared. I felt particularly bad because I had bought her as a present for Steve."

The couple, who live in Glebe Road, have no idea where Poppy has been since last August and Kate reckons her pet has used up a number of its nine lives to stay safe during its absence.

"I imagine she's used eight of her lives up so we are taking extra good care of her now.

"She only stays around the house and the garden now," she added.

Poppy may have gone missing after a minor car accident.

Her collar was found in New Road but in spite of offering a reward for news of their pet, the couple had no luck.

Cats' Protection staff picked Poppy up after staff at Blooms Garden Centre, near junction 16, had contacted the charity last month. Duncan Thom, a Cats' Protection volunteer, runs a cat sanctuary with his wife Jackie at their home in Brynards Hill.

He said: "The staff at Blooms were concerned about a stray so I went to collect it.

"The cat was undernourished and frightened but not vicious.

"It's an amazing story, there were tears all around when Poppy was reunited. It's pretty unusual.

"We wouldn't expect to find a cat after that length of time. It wouldn't have been possible without the microchip."

He took two year old Poppy for a check up at the George Veterinary Surgery for a check up where staff helped trace Kate and Steve from the microchip.

Duncan is now urging all cat owners to have their pets fitted with microchips to help return lost animals to their owners.

Owners can get this done at veterinary surgeries.

One of the couple's other cats, Molly, has been with them for 14 months.

And now Poppy has a new companion to keep her company.

After Poppy went missing Kate and Steve adopted another stray, whom they named Dave.

Initially they mistook him for their lost pet.

Now, Poppy is back in the fold and seems happy to venture no further than her own back garden.