SHEARER the cat used up one of his nine lives when he spent five days in a car engine compartment.

But when help finally arrived he was reluctant to be rescued and it took a team of firefighters to free him from his hideaway.

The black and white cat disappeared from his home in Poplar Street, Chester-le- Street, more than a week ago and was reported missing by his owner.

On Friday, teacher Katie Barrass-Brown, 37, from nearby Oakdale Terrace, noticed some fur protruding from the front grille of her Peugeot 308 after she had been to the hairdressers.

She feared she had knocked down an animal, but a closer inspection revealed she had a furry stowaway on board.

With some help she managed to free Shearer, but he promptly jumped back inside and hid even further from reach.

Mrs Barrass-Brown had to leave her car in a town centre car park overnight and was unable to collect husband Wayne, 37, who runs an aeronautical business, from Newcastle Airport.

But the couple started early the following morning with efforts to prise Shearer from his hiding place.

Mr Barrass-Brown removed various engine covers in the hope of getting at the cat.

In the end he had to call the fire brigade and a crew from High Handenhold fire station came to the cat’s rescue.

“It just wouldn’t come out.

We are not sure why or what happened to it before it took its place there,” said Mr Barrass-Brown.

“It is obviously a strange situation.

“The fireman who helped move the cat out into the space where they could get hold of it had his hand chewed.

“He had fireproof gloves and all the kit, but the cat shredded the end of his glove and drew blood.”

The cat was reunited with its owner, whose identity the couple had discovered after finding a collar in the engine.

Later that night the couple saw Tom Jones in concert at the town’s Emirates International cricket stadium.

“The second song he played was “What’s New Pussy Cat and I just burst out laughing,”

Mr Barrass-Brown said.