Passengers watched in amazement as ferry pilot Chris McGuinness leapt overboard to rescue a drowning cat.

Mr McGuiness stripped to his underwear and dived into the water just as Spike, a nine-month-old tabby, went under.

Mr McGuiness, 41, of South Shields, South Tyneside, was guiding the Pride of the Tyne pedestrian ferry to the North Shields landing.

Just as he docked, he saw Spike fighting to stay afloat and went to the rescue.

After handing the cat back to its owner, Mr McGuiness dried himself and carried on with his shift.

He said: "I got off the boat and saw a little cat and was told it had already been there for five minutes.

"Someone was trying to get it with a mop, but its claws were shot from trying to climb back up.

"The poor thing was at death's door and no one seemed to be doing anything about it, so I went in."

It is the third time that the animal lover has rescued animals.

He had already saved two dogs from drowning and said he would do it again.

Owner Jill Korszanski, who runs the Granary restaurant on the Quayside, said: "I am surprised someone risked his life for my cat, but I am very grateful."