A woman whose cat was run over and killed on the A28 has met with the binmen who saved the animal’s body so it could be returned to her.

Amanda Lewis, 44, from Leslie Crescent in St Michaels was “devastated” when she received a phone call from Ashford Borough Council saying that her cat Kipper had been run over after it disappeared during last month’s hot weather spell.

She soon discovered however that two Biffa binmen, Mark Harris and Norman Bowry had brought the animal back to the firm’s Ashford depot in Hanover Close, which allowed the pet to be returned to the family who then held a small burial service for Kipper.

Mrs Lewis had the chance to personally thank the binmen at a meeting held at the Biffa depot on Tuesday.

Mr Bowry, one of the two driving street operatives who found Kipper’s body said: “We were travelling down the Ashford road in St Michaels doing our litter picking jobs when we came across the dead cat on the side of the road.

“We picked it up and brought it back to the yard and we checked for a microchip.”

The men then contacted the council about the animal. He added: “We were notified by the supervisor that the owner had been found which was fantastic news.”

Mrs Lewis said to the Biffa employees: “I just want to say a big thank you for bringing my cat home. She’s a member of my family, and now we’ve got her home in the garden safe.

“She’s not locked in a garage or squashed anywhere, or been stolen. I’m eternally grateful to both of you.”

Mrs Lewis’ sons, Sam and Ben, who also met the binmen, spoke of their relief when they discovered Kipper had been found.

Sam, 14, said: “I was really happy someone had found her.”

Ben, 12, said: “At least she’s at home, in heaven.”

Gary Selling, street cleansing supervisor in Ashford for Biffa said: “It doesn’t happen all the time but we do get a few dead animals around. Well done to all of the crew for being aware and picking it up without it being reported from us first.

“It was very professional and quick on the ball.”

The family initially sent a thank you card to the binmen before discovering their identities and meeting them.

Mrs Lewis said: “It was sad getting the phone call from ABC to say they’d found her but it was also a relief to know where she was and we could bring her home again. We have closure.”

Kipper’s sister Casper still lives with the Lewis family.