AN adventurous young rescue cat who took an unexpected trip to B&Q had a lucky escape thanks to Crewe firefighters.

After finding that her neighbour's van had been warmed up by a tip during the day, four-year-old cat Tallula managed to squeeze herself into the engine compartment for a nap.

But after the van was driven to B&Q to buy paint before returning home, the driver heard meowing and discovered a furry, black-and-white stowaway.

Crewe firefighters took on the risky task of dismantling parts of the engine to get to the cat, who had been rehomed when she was around a year old.

Firefighter Neil White said: “After an hour and a lot of pulling and pushing as well as dodging an angry cat lashing out at the crew, we freed Tallula unharmed.

“I finally managed to free her by lying under the engine and pulling her out while the crew pulled me out by my legs.”

The RSPCA took Tallula - who is microchipped - for a check up, after which she was swiftly returned to her owner at in Sandbach.

Her owner, Nicola Godley, said: “We didn’t know she’d been missing until the RSPCA called that evening saying not to worry about Tallula, but she’d been on a bit of an adventure. I thought 'oh my goodness!'

“She’s absolutely fine. She settled in quickly and went to sleep on the sofa. She’s back to normal and has been out.

"I did apologise to the neighbour but he was just glad Tallula was okay.”