A DEATH defying cat who survived a terrifying journey trapped under the bonnet of a car is today relaxing at home.The cat was nicknamed Lucky because he survived the ordeal, which left him with singed fur after he was discovered when the car driver smelt burning and pulled over.

A DEATH defying cat who survived a terrifying journey trapped under the bonnet of a car is today relaxing at home.

The cat was nicknamed Lucky because he survived the ordeal, which left him with singed fur after he was discovered when the car driver smelt burning and pulled over.

He was cared for by staff at the Smith Ryder-Davies vets surgery in Woodbridge Road.

Lucky's real name is Sam and his temporary owner Anna Cann is now keeping a close eye on him so there are no more mishaps.

Ms Cann is currently looking after her daughter Sally's two cats Sam and Pippin while Sally moves home and told how she had been frantically trying to track Sam down after he escaped from her garden.

"I kept them in for two weeks like you are supposed to and then let them out in the little courtyard and Sam did a runner. I kept thinking about all the roads around here."

Ms Cann, who lives on Woodbridge Road, said this was not the first time Sam had gone missing and last time was found trapped in her daughter's garden shed.

"I phoned the RSPCA and they suggested two charities I could try. The Cats Protection suggested I phone Smith Ryder-Davies, so I did and they said they had a cat. So I strapped his travelling box on my bike and cycled all the way there and it was him, I had tears in my eyes.

"He has had the fur shaved from his belly but he is fine, there is no scratching or cuts. It is so lucky the man stopped to check under the bonnet."

Ms Cann also paid tribute to the care Sam received at the surgery.

"The girls at the vets were so sweet, they had taken such fantastic care of him, it was so lovely."

Sam is set to stay in Ipswich for a few more weeks before moving to London, but any plans he has for future adventures are unlikely to come off.

"I'm so relieved he's ok that I've become quite attached to them," Ms Cann said.

"I'll be keeping him in now – although I might let him out with me watching closely."

Has your pet had a lucky escape? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk