REHEARSALS are well underway for the pantomime in Tenbury but one character has been spared all of the trouble.

McCartney the cat has a contract that will spare him the need to learn any lines for the performance of Aladdin.

He has signed a deal that will see him leave his spot in the window of McCartney’s estate agents in the town for the pantomime that will be the biggest show of its kind at the Regal.

It will be a mix of professional and amateur performers but McCartney’s agent and owner Alison Lord, who works for the estate agent, is refusing to disclose his fee.

Before coming to Tenbury five months ago the feline enjoyed a colourful life including a period touring the world as a ship’s cat on the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner.

But the RSCPA won't have to monitor McCartney’s working conditions as despite his lifelike appearance fooling many people he is not real but a very good lookalike.