Animal-loving staff at S Norton’s Manchester yard saved a family cat from their scrapyard shredder after the owner alerted them that her pet was missing.

Owner Bekky Barber was unaware her six-year-old cat called Hope had climbed into the engine compartment of her old Citroen Picasso for the 12-mile trip from her home in Wythenshawe to the processing site at Trafford Park.

The cat leapt out when an employee opened the bonnet, giving him the ‘fright of his life’.

Initially Bekky thought the animal was a stray, but later realised it must have been her pet when she got home to find her missing. She called S Norton and employees were asked to look out for Hope. Bekky also called in cat catcher Debra Carter, who laid four traps around the yard.

After seven days of daily checking the traps, our staff found Hope who was a bit ‘oily’, but otherwise unscathed.

Site foreman Chris Bossons commented: “One of the lads was taking details and the cat jumped out when he lifted the bonnet. It scared the life out of him! They were all asked to look out for the black cat and double-check before cars go into the shredder.

“I kept going back to check between jobs. Being animal-lovers here, we’re pleased that Hope is now safe. It’s a nice ending!”

Bekky said: “Two feral cats were caught before they found Hope after a week. She’s great, although she smelled a bit oily and had a chipped claw, but that’s it. It was such a relief.”

She added: “If it wasn’t for Debra and the S Norton lads who co-operated with her, I don’t think I would have got her back.”