Larry the purrfect PM puss

The British Prime Minister's office has denied that his family has no love for Larry, the 10 Downing St cat.

After claims in a book that David Cameron's acquiring the moggy was little more than a PR stunt, a "savelarry" hashtag began trending on Twitter.

Downing St yesterday dismissed suggestions in journalist Matthew d'Ancona's book on Cameron's coalition government, In It Together, that Larry was an unloved pet.

"Totally untrue," a spokesman said. "He is very popular with everyone in the building and we all get on purr-fectly well."

Larry was acquired in February 2011 after a rat was spotted in two television news bulletins scurrying around outside the black door of the prime minister's residence.

But his efficiency has been regularly called into question and it took him a few months to make his first confirmed kill.

Reports have made him out as more interested in snoozing than putting the frighteners on rodents.

The Downing St website says Larry's "day-to-day responsibilities include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house".

Cats at No 10 have sometimes been put on the payroll as a mouser, but Larry's upkeep is paid for by Downing St staff.

- AAP