A cat has used up most of its nine lives after living in a wall cavity - for a month!

The mischievous moggy dived through a small hole behind the washing machine of her owner's flat at The Rookeries, Marks Tey, back in March.

In the first few weeks it occasionally sneaked out but always dashed back in before its owner came home.

Firefighters ripped out part of the wall but were unable to catch the animal which had a free run along the pipes up to the loft.

The cat also evaded the best efforts of its owner and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to tempt it out.

However, earlier this week it slipped down into a tight spot and became well and truly stuck.

Builders were called in to demolish part of the wall after its owner heard its plaintive cries for help, but again could not find it.

It was not until RSPCA officer Jim Farr eventually managed to locate the missing moggy with a torch and a mirror that the cat, nicknamed Midge, could at last be freed.

Mr Farr said: "It was in quite a poor state but it is now at the vets and appears to be doing quite well, although it will need a lot more convalescing."

He added: "Its owner was very shocked because she thought it was the end of it. She thought it had perished up there. It is a very happy ending."

Feline better - Midge is back out in the open again

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