Violent cat fight in Downing Street

Police have been forced to step in to break up a full-scale cat fight in Downing Street.

Larry, the Prime Minister's 'Chief Mouser', and Freya, who lives next door with Chancellor George Osborne, clashed outside Number 10.

The pair had to be separated and retreated spitting to their respective political fiefdoms, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Freyer the silver tabby appeared to have the best of the confrontation, while Larry, who has white and tabby markings, was ordered back inside No 10 to cool down.

It is not known what caused fur to fly between the feline residents of Nos 10 and 11 Downing Street.

Larry was appointed to the post of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office nearly two years ago, after being adopted from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Meanwhile, Freya was reunited with the Osborne family over the summer after going missing from their former home in Notting Hill, west London, three years ago.

She had been living rough and was recognised and returned to the family only after being taken to the vet by a kindly neighbour, where she was identified her from a microchip beneath her skin.

Asked about the apparently frosty relationship between Larry and Freya, a No 10 spokesman said: "They co-exist."