A desperate couple are looking for their missing cat who hitched a ride in a furniture van from Hertfordshire to Croydon.

The Soloways, from Chorleywood lost their two inseparable cats Bolivar and Checko when they snuck into the van of a company collecting the couple’s old sofa on May 21.

It is thought the mischevious pair followed the couch because it smelled familiar and they liked to sleep on it.

Their owners soon realised the cats were missing and called the furniture company who found Checko hiding in the van, but there was no sign of Bolivar.

They hired a pet detective company Animal Search UK to try and find their precious cat.

Searchers will be making a 344 mile round trip to Croydon on Sunday May 24 to conduct a search for Bolivar and distribute posters and leaflets in the hope of reuniting him with his owners.

A spokeswoman said: “The furniture deliverers made two stops later that day. One in Battersea SW11 and the other back at the depot in Croydon, Vulcan Business Park CR0 9UG.”

“The van was not left open at the first stop so we can only assume the Bolivar jumped out in Croydon.

“The couple’s other cat was found in the van and returned to her owners, but Bolivar was no where to be seen.

“The two cats are inseparable and Mr and Mrs Soloway are desperate for news about Bolivar.

“He will be looking very lost at the moment and might approach people in the surrounding area looking for food or shelter.

“He is a chocolate brown colour all over, and when he went missing he was wearing a yellow leather collar with a nametag and a bell but might not have these any more.”

Bolivar is microchipped and any vet or rescue centre will be able to scan him free of charge to confirm his owners details.

• Have you seen Bolivar? Call Animal Search UK headquarters on 01432 761 406 and quote Bolivar's reference number LD6971.