FIREFIGHTERS had paws for thought when they were set the task of rescuing a cat from a well.

Mira the cat found herself trapped halfway down a 40 feet deep well in Norward End, Fyfield. Her concerned owners told firefighters she had been stuck there almost all day and they had been keeping vigil.

A firecrew from Ongar used two ladders and 150 metres of lines in their rescue finally locating the poor puss at nearly 10.30pm.

Sub officer Kevin Smith said: "We were able to get down to it with ladders and then grabbed it, put it in a rescue bag and hoisted it up using ropes.

"The poor thing was wet and cold and shivering like mad but hadn't suffered any injuries. It is now back safely with its owners warming up and getting something to eat.

"The crews did a great job and thanks to them the cat only used up one of its lives on this occasion. We were really pleased to reunite Mira with its owners."