A luxury holiday home for our feline friends is the cat’s whiskers.

Since opening a few weeks ago, the Point Clear Cattery has had its guests purring with pleasure.

Opened by Janice and Brett McMullen, the cattery promises a personal touch from self-confessed cat lovers.

Janice, who is 50, originally came from Stapleford Abbots, near Romford, and has been caring for her own or other cats since a little girl.

Together with husband Brett, 47, from Newcastle, the couple always seemed to attract stray cats when holidaying abroad.

After living around Essex, including Brightlingsea, Maldon and Tiptree, the McMullens moved to Point Clear in 2004.

They found Point Clear a “small piece of paradise” with Janice working for a training company, helping people find jobs, and Brett working in Colchester for MAN Diesel & Turbo, a large engineering company.

But Janice was made redundant, leaving the couple thinking they should start their own business.

A holiday in Cyprus, where they spent much time again feeding strays, led to the cattery plan.

Their own cat Rupert, who sadly died on Wednesday aged 18, also provided inspiration. He was adopted from the Wood Green Animal Sanctuary in 2009.

The McMullens wanted to create something special their own much-loved pet would love and not recall his time in the sanctuary.

Janice explained: “You can see the difference to other catteries when you arrive. The cattery is completely indoors, fully insulated, double-glazed, has warm vinyl flooring, modern hygienic walls and has energy efficient heating and air conditioning.”

“The suites have large sleeping and exercise areas with ramps and shelves to play. Your cats will be enriched with further interaction from Janice and Brett throughout the day to ensure they are never bored. There are lots of windows providing somewhere for the cats to look out. Walls of the suites are solid to minimise stress caused by seeing other guests,” she continued.

Customers are typically staying locally on holiday, including some staying at the nearby Orchards Caravan Holiday Park. Others have placed their cats in the cattery while they are moving house.

Janice runs the business during the day, while Brett’s shift is in the evening and at weekends.

“We have been referred to as a cat hotel, which is very nice because it means we have got it right and they appreciate Point Clear Cattery. We are doing so well. We have already received repeat bookings,” Janice added.