Thai cat lovers are breeding rare 'mutant' moggies with unique fur colours and heart-shaped heads.

Pornthep Chusakthanadet, 62, president of the Korat Cat Conservation Club Phimai, said his club recently discovered Korat cats with coat colours considered rare for the breed.

The eponymous Korat cat, believed to have originated in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province or 'Korat', are known to have silver-tipped blue-grey coats.

However, Pornthep said the six Korat cats they were breeding had unusual coat variations, including cream and grey, light brown and grey, and brown and grey mixed with gold.

He said: 'Korat cats are not only friendly and playful. They are robust cats that quickly develop and become strong, making them easy to raise and care for.

'Our club has six Korat cats with rare fur colours. We plan to raise and breed them for conservation purposes.'

Korat cats are said to have come from Phimai, Thailand, and are known locally as 'good luck cats'. They were sometimes given to newlyweds or friends to impart good fortune.

Korat cats have small to medium lean builds. They are known to be intelligent and vocal, and will often form strong bonds with their caretakers.

Their distinguishing features include their heart-shaped heads, silver-tipped blue-grey fur, and large green eyes which start out sky blue as kittens but deepen into a green hue as they mature.