A garden centre's employee of the year works 10-hour shifts, seven days a week and spends most of his time enjoying a good nap.

Loki the cat is also something of a local celebrity, as he sends the cuteness levels through the roof at Wymondham Garden Centre.

Nadine Smith got the lilac mackerel tabby-coloured Oriental Shorthair in September 2019 and says he has always loved being outdoors.

She said: “I tried to keep him in but he just loves being out and about.  

Eastern Daily Press: The Oriental Shorthair takes the naps at his job very seriously The Oriental Shorthair takes the naps at his job very seriously (Image: Nadine Smith)

“Gradually he would stay out longer and sometimes go missing for a couple of days, when I would go out looking for him and post on social media.  

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“Two years ago I was shopping in the garden centre when I saw him, he came running over and was very loud and followed me around.  

Eastern Daily Press: Loki can often be found sleeping on the job Loki can often be found sleeping on the job (Image: Nadine Smith)

“The staff told me ‘oh that’s our cat, he’s really loud’ and they explained how he turns up daily and makes himself at home – that's where he had been when I thought he was missing.” 

Loki’s day starts like many working adults' day.  

He leaves home at 6am but his commute takes him across a building site and a field. 

Eastern Daily Press: He also likes to test out the products to show the impeccable quality He also likes to test out the products to show the impeccable quality (Image: Nadine Smith)

Once he arrives at work he likes to be very vocal to alert his colleagues of his arrival.  

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Nadine said: “He then gets carried around while morning tasks are delegated, then spends the day sleeping and meeting his public.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Many people visit the garden centre to see Loki a few times per week Many people visit the garden centre to see Loki a few times per week (Image: Nadine Smith)

Loki has also learned how to work the automatic doors so can take himself inside, and has even been caught stealing from the pet department on occasion, as he is a prolific hunter and will look out for mice and shrews.  

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Nadine said: “He absolutely loves the garden centre and the people that work there.” 

Eastern Daily Press: Loki lives with Nala and Cooper who is actually their son Loki lives with Nala and Cooper who is actually their son (Image: Nadine Smith)

Loki finishes up his shift at around 4pm and heads to the car park to find his colleague Louise’s car, where he will wait for his lift home to Nadine, who lives close to the Tuttles Lane East garden centre.

At the end of his long day, Loki goes home for dinner where he will then cuddle with Nala and Cooper, Nadine's other two cats.  

Eastern Daily Press: Loki starts his commute at 6am and catches a lift home at the end of his shift Loki starts his commute at 6am and catches a lift home at the end of his shift (Image: Nadine Smith)