A distressed cat has been rescued from a drainpipe in Dover after being spotted by a passer-by.

She was found in a drain near Ladywell on Thursday at about 1pm.

The feline is thought to be about five-years-old.

She has been named Curious Georgia because the RSPCA hasn't found out anything regarding her owner, or how she got into the drain.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Doe said: “Curious Georgia was in a real predicament.

"She was stuck deep down the pipe in a precarious place just above the water, and there was no way she was coming out without help.

“One end fed straight into the river, and without our intervention her only way out would have been to jump into the water. With no banks to get out, it doesn't bear thinking about what could have happened had she not been spotted."

The RSPCA along with Kent Fire and Rescue retrieved the cat by blocking the end, which led to the river.

They then gently fed an improvised chimney sweep pole through the pipe to push her along to the other end.

Ms Doe said: "We do not know how she ended up in the river.

"It is possible she was straying and true to her name had a curious nose towards the water and fell in. It is also possible that someone threw her in, as I have rescued animals from this same stretch of river in the past where people have been seen to cruelly throw animals in.

'I have rescued animals from this same stretch of river in the past where people have been seen to cruelly throw animals in.' - Ms Doe

"Luckily she is in reasonable health, although a bit skinny, and understandably very shaken andnervous after her ordeal.

“She is a lovely little thing though, so sweet natured.

"We hope she will make someone a lovely pet in the near future.”

Curious Georgia is being cared for at the RSPCA’s centre in Canterbury, and it is hoped she will be available for rehoming soon.

Anyone interested should contact info@rspca-canterbury.org.uk or 01227 719113.