IT is often said that a creature with nines lives can afford to take risks.But a young cat in Lowestoft has well and truly tested this theory by surviving up to four trips down the A12 … trapped inside the grille of a car.

IT is often said that a creature with nines lives can afford to take risks.

But a young cat in Lowestoft has well and truly tested this theory by surviving up to four trips down the A12 … trapped inside the grille of a car.

Talula, as she has been named by the RSPCA, escaped injury by a whisker when she was spotted wedged in front of the fan of a Rover 75, owned by Sarah McGeady, who lives in the High Street, Lowestoft.

As a sister at the James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, Mrs McGeady had made two round trips on an early and late shift, and it is not known when the inquisitive feline got into the vehicle.

The RSPCA are now appealing for her owner to come forward, or she will be adopted.

Mrs McGeady said: 'Last Wednesday I worked a late shift then on an early shift on Thursday. I got home at 4.20pm and shortly after there was a hammering at the front door. I opened it to see people standing there with a nurse from the vets across the road and they asked if it was my car because there was a cat stuck inside. I thought for a second I had squashed it, but it was under the bottom grille beneath the number plate.'

The group of onlookers increased as Mrs McGeady tried to free Talula, but it soon became clear it was going to be much more difficult than first thought.

In stepped John Enticknap, from Harbour Garage, in Oulton Broad, and the tortoiseshell cat was finally released, grubby and hungry, but miraculously unscathed.

'When John started to take the car apart, she began to move back into the engine, which was a concern, but we just couldn't see how she got in there. She must have pushed through the moulding and it pinged back into place,' said Mrs McGeady

'I just hope we can find her owner.'

The RSPCA has a variety of cats for re-homing. A minimum donation of �30 is charged for a cat, which will be neutered, micro chipped, fully vaccinated, wormed and flea treated.

If you are the owner of Talula, you know who the owner is, or wish to adopt a cat, call the RSPCA on 01502 566623.