Ref. 29439-08A LUCKY cat has used up most of its nine lives after surviving a 12-mile journey under the bonnet of a car.

The mischievous moggie was looking for a warm spot to take a nap when it crept under the bonnet of a Suzuki Swift parked outside the Asda-Walmart superstore at Haydon-Wick.

Car owner Mike Tegg, 66, from Witney, hopped into the car and set off, unaware of his extra passenger.

It was only when Mr Tegg heard the cat's terrified miaows some 12 miles into his journey that he pulled over to make the bizarre discovery near Lechlade.

He said: "Intermittently I heard this noise, and my wife thought it might be a bird, but I thought it sounded like a cat when it's not too happy.

"I pulled over and opened the bonnet and I wasn't really prepared for what I found. The cat was sitting on the hoses and must have been quite warm. I asked my wife Pauline to catch it before it jumped out.

"I would never have forgiven myself if it had managed to jump onto the road and got run over. We put it into the car and it snuggled down into the footwell. It seemed okay and in good health."

Mr Tegg then drove the cat to the Blue Cross Centre near Burford where it is now being cared for.

Lynn Rogers, Blue Cross Centre manager, said the cat had been lucky.

"It is in very good health but it is very nervous. It must have been a terrible experience being in the engine compartment for so long.

"We believe the cat is from Swindon and has been well cared for and brought up. If anyone has lost a pedigree cat in the last few days they should give us a call. We really want to be sure that we are reuniting the right owner with their cat so we are not giving away too many details."

Although reports of cats getting trapped under car bonnets are not common, in most cases when it does happen the unfortunate animals get too close to the engine's fan and lose a limb.

If you have lost a cat in the past few days and think it may be yours call the Blue Cross Centre at Burford on 01993 822483.

Callers will be expected to answer questions about identifying features on the cat.

Anthony Osborne