A CAT trapped in a car engine would have been killed if it had not cried out for help.

The frightened animal's cries were heard by the car owner as she approached her Ford Focus.

She had parked in the car park of The Clubhouse in Delves Lane, Consett, and was about the drive off at 1pm yesterday.

Firefighters who were called to free the cat said it would almost certainly have been killed if she had started the engine.

Consett fire station watch manager Gary Bankhead said: "It has got in from underneath and climbed up and was trapped in the compartment between the dashboard and the engine block.

"Because of its location, it could have been affected by heat from the engine, been injured by moving parts, or been flung from the vehicle.

"The lady thought it was stuck in a wheelie bin nearby, but realised it was in the car when she got closer and the noise got louder.

"When she lifted the bonnet she could see the eyes peeping out at her."

Firefighters removed the air filter with a screwdriver to free the cat, which was not wearing a collar. It scampered off but was not injured.