Train operator Northern has launched a vote to determine the name of a cat which has been adopted by Barrow-in-Furness’s TrainCare team.

Currently, the team simply refer to it as ‘The Cat’.

However, as they have come to develop more affectionately for their feline friend, they have now decided that it’s time to give ‘The Cat’ a different name.

‘The Cat’ first appeared at the TrainCare Centre in 2022 and was greeted with food provided by the staff.

The cat didn’t leave and over the past two years, the team has also been gathering funds to contribute to its pet food and vet costs.

The poll to select a new name is being conducted on Instagram and customers are being asked to choose from one of four names.

The shortlist was drawn up by the TrainCare team and consists of Mooch, Birdie, Sassy and Debbie.

While the TrainCare centre is home to ‘The Cat’, Barrow-in-Furness station is one of 34 across the Northern network which had their on-train announcements re-recorded last year in order to reflect local pronunication.

The public’s help was sought in order to make the changes.

Those interested in voting for the name of ‘The Cat’ should head over to Northern’s Instagram page, where the poll is open for all of today, Thursday, 30 May.

Northern are one of the nation’s largest operators and their network covers over 500 stations in the north of England.

Everyone looks after her, even the drivers come down and bring her food. She’s a cracking little cat and she’s really friendly.

She catches mice around the place and there are a few other cats who try and infiltrate the depot, but she keeps them away because she knows she’s got a good thing here.

We were thinking about giving her a name and we came up with a dozen before drawing four out of a hat. We’re looking forward to finding out which one people prefer.

Neil Cornforth, a senior team leader for Northern