A catalyst composition suitable for effecting simultaneous hydrodesulphurisation and hydrodemetallisation of sulphur and metals containing feedstocks which shows a high hydrodesulphurisation activity, a high hydrodemetallisation activity, and a long life is disclosed.The catalyst includes: a) a support, at least 90 wt. % of which includes alumina, which alumina has an R value of from 0.08 to 0.30, the R value being defined as the ratio between the integrated intensity of the X-ray diffraction peak at 2 .theta.=32.degree. and the integrated intensity of the X-ray diffraction peak at 2 .theta.=46.degree., b) from 2 to 8 wt. % of a Group VIB metal component, calculated as metal, c) from 0.5 to 2.5 wt. % of a Group VIII metal component, calculated as metal; and d) a pore size distribution as determined by nitrogen adsorption satisfying the following requirements: (i) a pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.0 ml/g, (ii) an average pore diameter of from 18 to 30 nm, and (iii) of the pore volume of pores with a diameter below 60 nm at least 40% is present in pores within a range of the average pore diameter .+-.5 nm.A process for use of this catalyst and for its preparation is also disclosed.