NICKNAMED 'Lucky' this is the black and white kitty that survived a journey across Ipswich in a car engine.Today The Evening Star is appealing for 'Lucky's' owners to come forward.

NICKNAMED 'Lucky' this is the black and white kitty that survived a journey across Ipswich in a car engine.

Today The Evening Star is appealing for 'Lucky's' owners to come forward.

Against the odds the perky pussy, believed to be about two-years-old, survived a death-defying trip lodged under the bonnet.

RSPCA inspector Marc Niepold explained what happened.

He said: "A guy who lives in Woodbridge Road was driving from his home to see his friend in Felixstowe Road.

"About a mile into the journey he smelt burning coming through the ventilation system and he pulled over."

Mr Niepold said the driver saw lucky stuffed in the engine bay between the engine and the fan and calle the RSPCA.

He said: "I managed to get him out. He is ok and the vet will keep him in for 24 hours.

"I guess we can call him lucky, until his owners come forward."

Mr Niepold said cats usually suffer horrendous injuries caused by the engine fan but somehow 'Lucky' escaped his brush with death.

Vet Zoe Luxton, of the Smith Ryder-Davies Surgery in Woodbridge Road, said she had never treated an animal who had got stuck in an engine before.

She said: "He is a little bruised around his mouth and his hair on his stomach was badly singed. He is a little frightened but he has had some food and I will give him some pain killers.

"He has no other injuries. He was just incredibly lucky and lucky his thick hair stopped his skin from being burnt."

Miss Luxton praised the quick thinking of the driver.

She said: "Had he been there much longer he would not have been quite so lucky."

'Lucky' has been neutered and it is possible he comes from the Woodbridge Road area.

Miss Luxton added: "He likes a cuddle and is happy being handled. He is a well looked after cat and I think he is someone's pet.

She added: "We will keep him here for the next 24 hours for observation."

Anyone who recognises 'Lucky', or knows who he belongs to, can call the surgery on 01473 274040.

Do you know who Lucky belongs to? Have you ever had anything similar happen to you? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk