Platinum Hello Kitty Sold

TOKYO (Reuters) - A platinum, diamond-studded figurine of Hello Kitty, the hugely popular feline character, has been sold for the equivalent of $102,000 (54,000 pounds) by a department store in the Japanese city of Osaka.

The 4.1 cm (1.6 in.) tall figurine, dressed in a queen's outfit and studded with 250 diamonds, was produced to celebrate the 30th birthday of the famous white cat with no mouth.

'It was sold to a customer from Osaka,' said a spokesman at the Mitsukoshi department store, declining to give details.

The face of Hello Kitty, who has devotees of all ages around the world, is featured on everything from kids lunch boxes to pop-up toasters and bicycles.

Things are not purring for the owner of the Hello Kitty brand, however. Sanrio said last week it would fall into the red this year and is seeking $187 million in financial aid.

Now thats what I call an expensive pussy.