'Spider-cat' scales new heights

Charlie has been nicknamed Spider-cat for his ability to scale walls

A cat who can scale walls has been nicknamed Spider-cat for his apparent ability to defy gravity.

Charlie, who lives with owner Hannah Smith at a flat in Denny, near Falkirk, regularly scales a two-storey roughcast wall to get back into his home.

Ms Smith said that if seven-year-old Charlie is unable to get in through her front door he scurries up the outside wall to reach her balcony.

She added his talent for climbing had turned him into a local celebrity.

Ms Smith said she had heard of cats climbing trees but never one that could scale walls.

She said: "Charlie miaows at the front door to be let out. So we let him out but no sooner is he let out, than he wants back in.

"But if no one hears him at the front door, he then wanders round to the back of the buildings to find the balcony."

She added: "I got him as a wee kitten and out of the litter Charlie was the one that looked most mischievous and I liked that about him. He's certainly lived up to his reputation."