Cat is new Monopoly token after public vote

Fans from more than 120 countries voted for the new piece, which replaces the iron. The wheelbarrow and shoe had also been shortlisted for elimination in the poll on maker Hasbro’s Facebook page.

It was the first time that fans have had a say on which of the eight tokens to add and which one to lose. The cat was selected ahead of a robot, diamond ring, helicopter or guitar.

The results were announced after passionate efforts by fans to save their favourite tokens and businesses eager to capitalize on publicity surrounding pieces that represent their products.

Monopoly has sold more than 275 million units worldwide. Most of the current tokens were introduced when Parker Brothers took over the game in 1935.

Versions of Monopoly with the new token will come out later this year.