Ref. 12581/3GAZETTE & HERALD: POLICE officer Mark Pearce extended his job description to include feline protection last week after he rescued a cat knocked down by a car in Calne.

He rushed the injured cat to a veterinary surgery in Chippenham where vets managed to save its life.

PC Pearce was driving along The Strand on Tuesday when he noticed a group of people gathered around something in the road.

He got out of his car, spotted the cat and immediately spoke to the police control room. He said: "The cat was in a terrible state. I thought it probably needed putting down. Control spoke to the RSPCA and then asked me if I could get it to the vet's in Chippenham."

A passer by, who had a cat box in his car, stopped by the scene and offered to help.

PC Pearce said: "I found a blanket and wrapped the cat in it to try to make sure it was kept warm."

He put the cat in the box and drove it to Walters, McFadyen and Lloyd vets in Bristol Road, Chippenham.

He said: "The cat went quiet in the car and I thought he had died.

"But when I stopped to take him out he let out a big hiss. He had quite a bit of fighting spirit left."

Vet Dewi Jones examined the cat which had a fractured jaw and pelvis, and had been blinded in one eye.

He said he was probably living on the streets because of its wild nature.

He operated on the cat and because of the serious injury had to remove one eye. He also wired the jaw.

Mr Jones said: "He is recovering extremely well. He will just have to wait ten days and if no-one claims him he will be re-homed.

"We already have someone lined up.

"We are beginning to tame him."

PC Pearce was reunited with the cat on Tuesday and said he was happy to see he was doing well.

He said: "I am not that keen on cats normally.

"I just couldn't leave it where it was. I am glad he is okay."