A CAT has been made honorary president of Southampton University Students' Union.

The union's AGM passed a motion to appoint the "revered" pet, named Susu, which has prowled Highfield campus for over a decade.

The motion, passed by 176 votes to 86, hailed the cat's "incredible contribution" to student life.

It stated: "Susu the Cat is already fulfilling an important duty by being detached from Union politics, thus providing stability and security which is greatly needed in the face of an ever-changing union."

Susu has been an unofficial campus mascot since she was let in as a stray in 2002.

She has her own food bowls, sleeps in the union overnight and had £400 vet's bills paid by students after a suspected attack in 2009.

The mog made an appearance in toy form on the BBC's University Challenge and used to sit at the union's nightclub till to be stroked.

Adoring students even set up a dedicated Twitter account, although it has not been updated since 2014.

Student newspaper Wessex Scene said: "She makes us unique, how many other universities have a cat who lives in their union? SUSU makes everyone that much happier, and her election as honorary president just goes to reflect the outstanding effect she’s had on students – always there for their de-stressing needs."

Susu was unavailable for comment.