A CAT which became wedged in a car engine in Middlesbrough was among 750 rescues carried out by animal welfare charity the RSPCA over the festive season.

Felix the cat crawled into his owner's engine on Christmas Eve and got stuck.

RSPCA inspector Krissy Raine attended the call to Coulby Newham to find the black and white puss tangled up in the pipes and rods under the bonnet of the silver Nissan people carrier.

She said: "Cats often crawl under cars or even into the engines during the winter as it can be nice and warm inside the bonnet.

"While many will crawl out again with ease we do often get called out to help those who get themselves a little stuck."

On this occasion Inspector Raine needed a hand and called in the fire and rescue service to carefully pull parts of the engine apart in order to free the curious kitty and return her home.

Just two days later Insp Raine carried out a dramatic Boxing Day rescue in Shadforth, just east of Durham.

Goji the cat had climbed 25 ft up a tree on December 23.

A local resident had spotted the stricken puss but followed advice to leave him to make his own way down – which is often much safer than intervening with a rescue mission.

However when the cat was stick stuck high up on Boxing Day they contacted the RSPCA for help.

Insp Raine said: “Poor Goji spent his Christmas stuck 25ft up in the tree. He even missed his Christmas Dinner.” She contacted Durham Fire & Rescue Service to help free the frightened puss. Thankfully, they were able to get him down safely and return him to his family who had been worried about him since he disappeared.

“His owner was over-the-moon with our help and to have Goji home safe,” Inspector Raine added.

More than 750 animals were helped by the charity over the festive period with workers answering 15,723 calls - a 36 per cent increase on last year.

While many families enjoyed roast dinners, board games and festive films this Christmas period, RSPCA officers were out helping animals in need.

The animal welfare charity operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. And this Christmas was no different.

Over the festive period (December 24 - January 1), the RSPCA’s officers and inspectors responded to 15,723 calls and helped 759 animals.

Last year, the charity received 11,530 calls between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day - 36 per cent less than this year.

To donate, visit www.rspca.org.uk/giftofkindness.