A CUDDLY cat is making a difference in East Yorkshire as he spreads his own version of feline therapy.

Much-loved moggy, Ammy, short for Amadeus, has been visiting people with learning difficulties since he was nine months old.

Now three, he pays a weekly visit to Fledglings Court in Market Weighton with his owner, Christine Campion, to cheer up its residents.

His efforts have earned him a highly commended honour in the national Pets As Therapy (PAT) Cat Of The Year award.

Christine, of Graves Lane, Melbourne, near Pocklington, bought Ammy, a type of cat known as a ragdoll, especially so he could become a therapy cat. She started training him for visiting people when he was just a 13-week-old kitten.

She said: "He has a very laid back character. Lots of people enjoy cuddling him and playing with him, he definitely makes a difference."

A fosterer for the Cats Protection League, Christine first had the idea of taking a cat to visit people when she spoke to elderly people who had to give up their cats when they went into hospital or residential care. "I originally thought about taking a cat to visit elderly people in old people's homes," she said.

At first Ammy visited a geriatric ward at York Hospital, but now he only visits Fledglings Court.

Updated: 08:48 Wednesday, July 30, 2003