AN animal charity is appealing for a Halloween home for a lucky black cat recovering from a horrifying near-death experience.

Mags, an 18-month-old black cat, was discovered under a hedge in a field near Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

She had been trapped there for about two weeks because her front leg was stuck in her elasticated collar and she was unable to move.

She had lost over half her body weight and was severely emaciated. In her desperate attempts to free herself she had caused the collar to rub the skin under her arm causing a painful wound.

This had become infected and riddled with maggots which were literally eating her alive.

She was rushed to a vet’s for emergency treatment and suffered no lasting damage.

Now, The Blue Cross animal adoption centre, in Thirsk, is looking for a new home for Mags.

Deputy manager Caroline Thompson said: "Mags has been through an horrific ordeal which could easily have been avoided if she had been wearing a collar that snapped open when she became trapped. We're urging cat owners to avoid using elasticated collars to prevent incidents like this in the future.

Mags is now recovering well and now all she needs is a loving home to go to. We sometimes struggle to find homes for black cats but we hope that this little one will find some luck and a new home in time for Halloween."

The Blue Cross cares for thousands of sick and homeless animals every year, funded entirely through public donations.

To find out more about giving Mags a new home, call the centre on 0300-777-1540 or visit bluecross.org.uk