The moggy had been missing for a month. But to the delight of his owner, he has emerged from a chimney he got stuck four weeks ago.

Libby Sanderson: "Very resourceful"

Libby Sanderson, a teacher from Cheltenham Lady's College, heard Humbug's meowing from behind a fireplace on Christmas day.

The cat had spent the whole time in her neighbour's chimney.

The feline's festive return has astounded vets, who think he must have survived on mice and condensation.

But it is not the first time that Humbug has got himself into hot water.

Mrs Sanderson said that six weeks before his most recent disappearance, he spent a weekend up the same chimney.

She said: "I think he must be very resouceful.

"The vet thinks that probably he must have had the odd mouse or found some condensation to lick."