World's longest cat has died at 8

The world's longest cat has died aged eight, his owner revealed today.

Stewie, who measured over 1.23m from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail, lost his battle with cancer last night.

Since owner Robin Hendrickson announced the sad news, hundreds of fans have flooded Stewie's Facebook site with condolences.



Guinness World Records declared Stewie - full name was Mymains Stewart Gilligan - the record-holder in August 2010.

The Maine Coon cat was bought by Robin, of Nevada, from a breeder in Hermiston, Oregon, in 2005.

The previous record-holder, Leo, owned by Frieda Ireland of Chicago, died several years ago.

There's no word yet from Guinness about a new record holder.