HOME-loving cat Max prompted an ang­uished  search when he disappeared — but he was finally discovered a week later less than 20 yards from his front door. 

The eight-year-old white and ginger cat managed to secret himself in a school shed opposite his home in The Close, Caldicot and despite people going in there on several occasions he managed to keep himself well hidden. 

Owners Katie and Stephen Berry got the good news he had been spotted just two days before Dewstow Primary School broke up for Christmas last week. 

Max disappeared on Wednesday, December 7, prompting a search around the town and appeals for information on social media. 

Mr Berry said: “I think I must have walked most of Caldicot looking for him.”

The couple and six-year-old daughter Poppy moved to The Close last summer from another part of the town and Max hasn’t shown much interest in exploring the area. 

Mrs Berry said: “Max is a proper pet. Stephen works nights so he’s usually on the sofa next to me. 

“I knew that if he didn’t come home it was because he was injured or was trapped somewhere. 

“I was sat on the sofa every night crying, wondering where he was and he was literally  feet away across the road. 

“We mentioned that he might be in school and they did look inside but couldn’t see him. 

“When he was found he was high up and behind a lot of equipment. It might be that he couldn’t see the door open and was frightened so decided to stay put. 

“We’d been out calling his name and he could probably hear us but couldn’t get out. 

“One of the parents saw him through the window and told the school.   

“They went into the shed but it wasn’t until they called his name that he started meowing. 

“Everyone has been so helpful and we’d like to thank the parent who spotted him. 

“It was two days before they broke up and I don’t think he would have lasted in there over the holidays. 

“It is such a relief to have him home.”