Wendy Kirk says Fidget is the boss

Wendy and Shaun Kirk admit that Fidget is in charge when the pet food falls prey to his cravings.

"He is like a kid in a sweet shop and just helps himself to whatever he wants," said Mr Kirk.

"He has full run of the shop and is like the boss to be honest.

"If he wants something he just eats it."

During the day, fat Fidget lazes on the counter of the Pet Fare shop in North Shields.

After closing he has the run of the shop, complete with bed upstairs.

Sweet shop

When he feels peckish he just claws open a packet of his favourite dried cat food and stuffs himself.

But Mr Kirk insists all the other animals at the shop - including fish and birds - are safe from Fidget's hefty appetite.

"The vets are worried about his size and want him to go on a diet but the chances of that are slim to nil.

"He is like a kid in a sweet shop and just helps himself to whatever he wants.

"If he fancies something he just scratches the packet open and eats it but the other animals are safe as he is so used to them."

Ironically, Fidget was originally named after a character in the Time Bandits movie because of his tiny size when Wendy and Shaun took him in at a year old.