The ginger cat that greets travellers everyday at busy commuter station

Commuting can be a lonely and anti-social experience for many – but one cat has been praised for helping break down barriers.

Nala is a regular visitor to Stevenage station in Hertfordshire and greets hundreds of passengers making their way to London for work and is often spotted on the ticket barriers.

Natasha Ambler, who owns the ginger cat, says her pet loves all the attention she receives and often makes her way to the railway station when she knows it will be busiest.

The four-year-old cat is described as “very outdoorsy” and has a GPS attached to see where she wanders around town.

In one week, according to the dedicated Adventures of Nala Facebook page, the intrepid moggy covered 35 miles wandering around Stevenage, including a local park and the town centre.

As well as passengers, the cat has won fans among staff at the station.

Speaking to the BBC, Shaun Smith, Great Northern’s station manager, said: “She’s breaking down barriers by making people smile and starting cheerful conversations between staff and customers – helping our team and our tenants at the station feel part of the local community, which is rewarding for everyone.”

The cat has become something of a local celebrity in the town – with some even calling for her to turn on Stevenage’s Christmas lights this year.

Miss Ambler says she used to get about 20 calls a day asking if her cat was lost – with Nala now fitted with a second tag so people know her owner knows where she is.

Speaking to the BBC, Miss Ambler said the cat was “very loved”

She added: “She’s very happy doing what she does. I just hope one day she doesn’t actually try to get on a train.”