A FAMILY is appealing for the whereabouts of a missing cat which needs urgent medical attention.

Ambrose, a short-haired silver tabby, escaped outside the vets' surgery in St Helen Auckland on Tuesday.

The ten-month old male cat was about to be taken to a Barnard Castle surgery for an operation when he escaped.

Vanessa Higgins, from Morley, in Teesdale, said: "I think it was the noise of the traffic which scared him. He just went into a complete panic and got out of his box.

"He has a problem which stops him going to the toilet and if he doesn't get this operation I don't think he'll survive. It's my 14-year-old daughter Rachael's cat and we're all really worried."

Anyone with information is asked to call (01388) 718995 or 07946 261208.