A CAT that survived a seven-mile journey trapped under a car bonnet is recovering from its ordeal.

The fortunate feline, appropriately nicknamed Olive Oil, was lucky to cheat death as it cowered under the bonnet of a car from South Shields to Jarrow, in South Tyneside.

Now convalescing at Sunderland's RSPCA branch, the black female cat has still not been claimed by her rightful owners, three days after the event.

Alison Preston, who works at the branch, but is looking after Olive at her home, near Chester-le-Street, said the animal is doing fine.

She said: "Naturally, she is depressed because she wants to go home, but she is obviously a well-loved cat.

"I've had to keep washing her to make sure she doesn't take in any of the engine oil that covered her when she was found.

"If that gets into her system it can attack her kidneys and liver. I can still smell oil on her so I've been washing her once a day with detergent."

Anyone who thinks Olive, who climbed into the engine in South Shields, is their pet should contact Alison on 0191-388 7374.