A flabby Penge feline who used to snack on Doritos, curry and cornflakes has come out on top of a national cat weight loss competition.

Meaty Mikey has shed nearly a fifth of his body weight and once tipped the scales at 1st5lb which was 70 per cent over his ideal body weight.

His monstrous appetite meant he even woke his owner Stephanie Briggs by biting her arm if breakfast was not served on time. 

Actress Stephanie, 34, whose father played Mike Baldwin in Coronation Street, said: "Mikey loved food and he’s made more of a nuisance of himself in the last six months than he has in the whole nine years before. 

"I can’t say he’s enjoyed being put on a diet but is certainly happier now than when he began. He has far more energy and skips about like he did when he was a kitten.

"We have spent much more time playing together to exercise him and I learned that he likes to play fetch with a bouncy ball - just like a dog.

"I think he has enjoyed the time we have spent together and our bond has strengthened as a result.”

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Before his weightloss he was at risk from serious health problems and a shortened life span.

Mikey’s weight-loss has been supervised by PDSA vet nurse, Beverley Farley, from Croydon PDSA Pet Hospital.

She said: “Mikey has done amazingly well on Pet Fit Club - to finish as top cat slimmer and lose 8cms from his waist is a great achievement.

"Stephanie has been very dedicated and worked extremely hard to help change Mikey’s lifestyle for the better.

"They have stuck to the diet and helped increase his exercise levels and they’re now seeing the rewards for all of their hard work.”