A KITTEN who was found in a bin just before Christmas is starting her new life with a loving family.

The new owners collected her on Saturday and say ‘Miracle’ is already showing her playful side and coming to them for a stroke.

Pauline Irwin, who lives near Stanley with her husband Phil and daughters Jessica and Grace, got in touch with the RSPCA after hearing her story.

The charity appealed for information after the young cat was discovered in an industrial bin in an alley off Providence Row in Durham on Friday, December 20.

The Northern Echo:

A passer-by heard the ten-week-old’s cries and called the RSPCA.

Animal Collection Officer Shane Lynn said: “I had to use a ladder to climb into the bin and get her out so there was no way she was going to be able to do so herself.

“The chances of her being found were slim to say the least.

“It really was a Christmas miracle.”

Ms Irwin said: “We had a cat for 19 years and she was such an important part of our family. “We weren’t really looking for another one but we saw her picture in the paper and fell in love.

“We just had to offer her a forever home, after all she’d been through.”