Quite how long a car had been driven before a stowaway cat was discovered under its bonnet is not known for sure.

But a short-haired grey gave mechanics a start when he leapt from a broken down vehicle they had been towing in Great Yarmouth.

Remarkably the moggy was none-the-worse for his ordeal and was instantly happy to accept the cuddles and comfort of strangers.

Lauren Woods who initially took the young cat in said someone must be missing him because he was so well looked after and friendly.

The drama unfolded on Monday when the driver of the car left Martham but broke down on Great Yarmouth seafront reporting 'a noise.'

It was then towed to a garage in Swanston Road where shocked mechanics opened the bonnet and unwittingly freed the trapped cat.

They alerted Miss Woods who works at Five Star Valeting nearby who took the cat in and made efforts through social media to reunite him with his mystery owner.

Despite over 500 shares on Facebook, his owner has not yet been traced. The driver of the broken-down car said the animal was nothing to do with him and could shed no light on where he came from.

A check-over at the vets revealed he was healthy but not micro-chipped.

Miss Woods, 31, said the cat could have been trapped in the car all the way from Martham - a journey of around 10 miles - or simply hitched a ride from Yarmouth seafront.

'He is really friendly,' she said. 'If anything he is over friendly. Someone should be missing him because he has been loved. All the men down at the garage were picking him up. We don't know if he jumped in at Yarmouth or Martham.'

Miss Woods, who has a dog and a six-month old kitten so was unable to keep the adventurous puss, has handed him over to Norfolk and Suffolk Animal Trust where he is said to be 'a bit feisty' but doing well.

Anyone with information about the cat can contact Nicki on 07770561390 or Josie on 01493 844631.