Trapped cat survives 70-mile trip

Tilly was able to be reunited with her owner as she was micro-chipped

A cat has used up one of its nine lives after getting stuck behind the front grille of a car and surviving for 70 miles on a trip from Surrey to Sussex.

Tilly, a grey tabby, ran out in front of motorist Paul Younger as he drove his BMW through Godalming, but when he stopped she was nowhere to be seen.

He continued on to Eastbourne, but was forced to stop again when he heard miaowing noises from under the bonnet.

He found Tilly trapped but unhurt, and she was later reunited with her owner.

'Right speed'

"There wasn't a mark on her, which was quite incredible really," Mr Younger said.

"The cat just seemed to hit the lower grille on the front of the car and the grille snapped back into place.

"It must have been just the right speed for the grille to snap and for the cat to enter the front of the car," he added.

The BT salesman called the RSPCA as soon as he discovered the cat.

She was able to be returned to her owners in Godalming because she was wearing a collar and was micro-chipped.

Tracey Lemieux said Tilly seemed to have been completely unfazed by the whole experience, and had suffered no after-effects.