LAST week she was an abandoned old cat with just three teeth and one eye that opened.

This 11-year-old Persian cat was such a sight that the RSPCA nicknamed her Ugly Betty after the TV character.

But this week, after a public appeal, the elderly moggie has found a caring new owner.

The RSPCA was inundated with calls from kind-hearted readers who read about Ugly Betty’s plight and wanted to offer her a loving home.

The lucky reader, who was chosen by the animal charity, was Annette Gamble.

Mrs Gamble, aged 58, from Ainsworth, said: “It was love at first sight. We’re keeping her name but not Ugly — she’s now Beautiful Betty.

“My husband saw the report first and told me about Betty.

“I told him not to show me because I’d want to have her.

“But he told me to have a look and said if I wanted her, then to ring the RSPCA.

“When we went to see her, it was love at first sight.”

The RSPCA looked after Betty after her last owner passed away.

The charity spent more than £100 nursing her back to health.

Mrs Gamble, who is retired and already has two other RSPCA cats, called Smokey and Chico, said the new addition to her family was settling in very well.

She said: “Betty is eating well and loving her new home.

“She has already made friends with the other two cats and is looking a lot healthier already. She is definitely part of the family.”

Bolton RSPCA vice-president Marie Campbell, who gave the cat her nickname, thanked readers for their help.

She said: “It is wonderful news. Betty has gone to a very good home.

“I’d like to thank everyone who got in touch. We were also able to give a home to another adult cat.”

But she added: “The RSPCA still desperately needs more people to come forward who can give a cat a loving home.”

If you would like to give an RSPCA cat a home, call the charity on 01204 521160.

steven.thompson@ theboltonnews.co.uk