A cat stuck at the top of a 35ft fir tree for nearly three days has had a lucky escape after a group of neighbours came together to save it.

Neighbours first spotted the cat when they heard it crying on Saturday, June 5.

The cat had climbed to the top of a tree in Maria Davinson's back garden in Park Lane.

Mrs Davinson, 56, said: “My neighbours called the RSPCA on Saturday and again on Sunday.

“Saturday was very hot day and when no-one had rescued it by Sunday, I called the RSPCA myself.

“They told me they would get someone to call back but no-one did.”

On Monday, the cat's third day up the tree, it started to rain. With the cat still crying, Mrs Davinson and four neighbours decided to club together to pay someone to climb the tree and get the cat down that afternoon.

Mrs Davinson said: “We just thought we had to do something about it. The cat was clinging on for dear life.

“The RSPCA said they were trying to do the best they could. In the end I told them if they didn't rescue it I was prepared to climb the tree and get it down myself – and I've just recovered from breast cancer and a serious car accident.”

The cat was finally rescued by the RSPCA and fire brigade on Monday afternoon. Holding a net under the tree they shook the branches until it fell out.

A relieved Mrs Davinson said: “I went to bed early that night and was so drained with the stress of it all and the relief.

“I don't think the RSPCA should be a charity, I think they should have government funding.”

Once it was rescued, the the cat didn't hang around for any thank you purs - it ran straight out of the garden and has not been seen since.

Mrs Davison said: “I'm pleased really. I would rather cut the tree down than go through that again.”