A pet cat is believed to have the loudest purr in the world - as loud as a lawnmower. Most cats purr at around 25 decibels but 12-year-old Smokey's powerful purrs average an amazing 80 decibels. When measured close-up her purrs reach an incredible 92 decibels, equivalent to the noise of a lawnmower, hair dryer or a Boeing 737 coming into land. Owners Ruth and Mark Adams say Smokey's deafening purrs make it impossible for them to hear the television or radio when she is in the room and they struggle to have telephone conversations. "She has always been very vocal and purrs at some level nearly all the time," said Ruth, from Pitsford, Northampton. "She even manages to purr while she eats. The only time she is quiet is when she is asleep. When I'm on the phone friends often ask what the loud noise is and they can't believe it is coming from a cat." Ruth and Mark adopted Smokey from rescue centre NANNA in Northants three years ago for her 10-year-old daughter Amy. Diana Johnson, of Northampton Cats Protection, who has met Smokey, said: "I have never heard anything like her purr in my life. It can drown out your conversation." The family has now submitted an application to Guinness World Records. A spokesman for Guinness World Records said: "The Guinness World Record for the loudest scream by a human is 129dB. If Smokey the cat is able to purr at over 80dB it would be an astonishing feat." Source: orange.com