World's oldest living cat record goes to Flossie a 'sweet' and 'playful' 26-year-old London feline

• The title of the world's oldest living cat has been awarded to a London feline.
• Flossie, who is nearly 27 years old, started her life as a stray.

The title of the world's oldest living cat has been awarded to a London feline.

Tabby-cat Flossie is closing in on her 27th birthday, making her the oldest known living cat according to the Guinness World Records.

She is known to be at least 26 years and 316 days old, according to Guinness World Records.

Living out her golden years in a south London suburb, Flossie is described as still being playful and in good health, aside from being deaf and partially blind.

Starting her life as a stray, Flossie has spent most of her many years with a loving family and outlived two previous owners but was recently entrusted into the care of the Cats Protection charity after her last owner was unable to give her adequate care.

Being an old lady, the volunteers at the shelter thought she might not find a new home as elderly cats are often overlooked for kittens.

But then Flossie met Vicki Green, 27, who took the four-legged senior home with her.

She told Guinness World Records: "She was loud for the first few nights because she can't see in the dark and was a bit confused in her new surroundings, but she sleeps through the night now, snuggled on the bed with me."

Green added, "If I'm in such good shape when I'm her age with someone who does what's best for me when I need it most, I shall be a very happy lady."

Green, who is the same age as Flossie, said she "knew from the start that Flossie was a special cat, but I didn't imagine I'd share my home with a world record holder."

She describes Flossie as "so affectionate and playful."

Looking after an elderly cat isn't always cuddles and catnip, but Green has a history of looking after old or disabled cats, making the two a great fit.

"She sometimes misses her litter box or needs help grooming herself, but I can help with all of that. We're in this together," she said.

Naomi Rosling, a branch coordinator for Cats Protection who rehomed Flossie, said: "We were flabbergasted when vet records showed Flossie to be nearly 27. She's the oldest cat I've ever met; at least 120 in human years," she told Guinness World Records.

Flossie is not the oldest cat ever, though. That title belongs to a cat called Creme Puff, who lived in Texas who lived until the incredible age of 38, when he died in 2005, according to Guinness World Records.