An eight-week-old cat had a lucky escape after being rescued from a car engine by the RSPCA and fire services.

The adorable kitten had been hiding under a bonnet overnight in Mackenders Close, Eccles.

Fortunately, at around 10am, the driver heard a noise and lifted the car bonnet, spotting the cat inside.

But the kitten was so scared that it jumped out and ran into the engine compartment of the next car along - getting himself well and truly stuck.

Inspector Grace Harris-Bridge said: “When I arrived the kitten was right at the bottom of the engine, I tried to reach him but it was proving impossible.

"I was very grateful for the help of Fire and Rescue Service who came and unscrewed the bottom of the engine so that they could reach him and pull him free.

“Unfortunately, the kitten wasn’t as grateful as I was. He was a little feisty. It doesn't look as though he has had much handling by people before this.”

The kitten has been named Spark Plug - or ‘Sparky’ for short, by RSPCA staff after he was found on Saturday, December 8.

Sparky suffered no injuries and was taken to the RSPCA Canterbury branch. He is now being fostered.

It is not uncommon for felines to find themselves trapped in motor engines.

In 2017, eight-month-old moggy Ford survived a trip up Blue Bell Hill, Aylesford while trapped under the bonnet of a van.

In 2015, three-and-a-half-year-old Timmy was wedged in a car motor for five miles.

Jane Butcher, of Elm Crescent, was on on a trip from her home in East Malling to Family Bargains in Maidstone before smelling burning and discovering the cat.

Miraculously, Timmy was freed without any injuries by a mechanic and was reunited with his owner Filipa Cunha later in the morning.