Dress up as a black cat for National Black Cat Day

A call to encourage more people to adopt black cats has been launched.

Today is Cats Protection's National Black Cat Day and the initiative is being backed by the charity's Knowl Hill branch.

Black cats make up 23 per cent of those in the organisation's catteries.

Spokeswoman Veronica Robinson said there are 12 black cats in its care in Maidenhead, either in foster homes or at the Knowl Hill Cattery.

Cats Protection said people seem more inclined to re-home different coloured felines, which can leave the black moggies without loving new owners.

As part of the national initiative, social media users are being asked to change profile pictures or tweet themselves on Twitter in costumes or download a Cats Protection mask to encourage adoption.

Visit maidenhead.cats.org.uk for details.