WHEN Kirsty Brown went for a drive the engine of her car seemed to be purring rather louder than usual.

When she lifted the bonnet she was amazed to see two little eyes blinking at the sunlight - eyes that belonged to a black female cat that had just survived a seven-mile journey from South Shields to Jarrow, Tyneside.

The lucky feline was immediately nicknamed Olive Oil.

Ms Brown, 20, said: "When we opened the bonnet, I couldn't believe it - there were these two big eyes looking up at me.

"When we parked at a shopping centre I heard a miaow coming from the car, but I just left it. When I heard it again, I opened the bonnet.

"There she was, crouching between the engine and the car. She was covered in oil and was shaking - it looked very scared."

RSPCA animal collection officer Michael Winter, who took Olive for veterinary treatment, said he was amazed she survived unscathed.

He said: "When I collected her, she was covered in oil and obviously shocked by her experience. It's extremely lucky that she was discovered when she was - another few miles and who knows what could have happened."

Olive's unscheduled tour started after she climbed on to the engine from underneath when it was parked in South Shields.

Alison Preston, of the RSPCA's Sunderland branch, is looking after her at her home, near Chester-le-Street.

Anyone who thinks Olive is their pet should contact 0191-388 7374.