Tesco says it cannot display Oscar's sculpture

An artist says she has been left disheartened after a supermarket refused to display a sculpture she created in memory of a "celebrity" cat which "put smiles on the faces of customers".

Oscar, known as the Tesco Cat due to his appearances at the shop in Stowmarket, Suffolk, was put down this month after being diagnosed with stomach cancer.

Customers who had grown fond of Oscar called for a statue to be put up inside the store in his honour, prompting cat-lover Sharon Kulesa to get creative.

But Tesco, which allowed flowers, cards and treats to be left in the shop after his death, told her it was no longer permitted to exhibit anything related to the friendly feline.

"I went to the ladies at the desk and said I had made a statue and had left it in the foyer but they said I couldn't do that," said Ms Kulesa, 45.

"It's quite large and I made a plinth for it, but it wasn't in the way.

"It's a such a shame and quite sad because Oscar was much-loved by me and my family, and I am a bit gutted I couldn't do what I wanted to."

Last year, Oscar was nominated in the animal category of the BBC Suffolk Make a Difference awards for spreading joy within the community.

He was known for greeting shoppers at the store and sleeping on the trolleys outside.

Ms Kulesa spent two days working on the sculpture, using newspaper, tinfoil, masking tape and paint to capture Oscar's likeness.

But after presenting it to Tesco, she said she was told it would be unfair as former employees who had died were never afforded the same courtesy.

Ms Kulesa said Oscar's ties with the store were unique and a statue would be a fitting tribute – a sentiment echoed by Oscar's legion of fans.

"Hundreds of people have said how much they love it and said it is such a shame it cannot go in Tesco, so I think the people of Stowmarket have spoken," she said.

"Oscar loved Tesco, and if every store had a cat I would understand, but he was unique and much like a celebrity, and when celebrities die many want to pay tribute.

"And Oscar was a Stowmarket celebrity, and people want to honour him. So that makes it different."

Wayne Leech, the manager at the store, said he and his team were saddened by Oscar's death and they had honoured him in their own way.

He added: "Oscar was a regular visitor to the store and would help put a smile on the faces of colleagues and customers alike.

"We were glad to be able share the tributes customers left for Oscar with his owner, and make a donation from Tesco and our customers to a nearby cat charity in Oscar's name to mark his memory."

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