Tosca the cat spent decade living in tunnels under Dover Castle

A cat that spent 10 years living in the tunnels beneath Dover Castle arrived there in 1948 to catch mice but ended up having a pampered life.

Curators said Tosca, whose full name was Toscanini, remained underground until 1958 and was known for stealing food, causing mischief and avoiding the seagulls that terrified him.

Tosca lived in a vast network of tunnels beneath the castle, some of which played a key role during World War Two, Secret Kent has heard.

Hattie Hartly, visitor assistant for English Heritage at Dover Castle, said he was spoiled with treats and “well-loved”.

“There were no other animals on site. I think it was very nice for everyone to have him down there,” she said.

“He also was a little bit of a trickster, so he was well known on site for things he liked to play.

“He never went outside, because whenever he did, he would be attacked by seagulls, so he spent all of his time inside causing mischief.”

One of the lasting anecdotes passed down about Tosca is an account of him stealing a joint of beef intended for Christmas dinner.

Hattie said: “He was seen marching off through the tunnels with that, and he was quite ready to steal sausages from people’s plates.”