A CAT from Griffithstown which is believed to have been stuck on the top of a tree for a week was rescued yesterday afternoon.

Izzy had been missing for a week when he was spotted on top of a tree by Panteg Hospital on Tuesday evening.

Izzy's owner, 71-year-old Brian Samuel, who lives 30 yards away from the tree, believes he was stuck in the tree the whole week.

Because the cat was right at the top of tree, approximately two-storeys high, the RSPCA said there was no way Izzy would have been able to get down without help.

Mr Samuel said: "I'm still a little tearful, but I'm so happy he's with me now.

"Last night and this morning, we were sat down by the tree talking to him. It has been horrible."

Mr Samuel, who has four more cats, said that Izzy was very hungry and thirsty, but that he's ok.

RSPCA animal collection officer Stephanie Davidson said: “The cat was right at the top of the tree and was very difficult to get to. He kept going higher in the tree and it was hard to see where he was.

“There was no way this particular cat was going to be able to get down without help.

“Thankfully the fire service were able to get high enough with their ladder and ropes to rescue the cat who was safely brought down and returned to his owner."

When South Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended to the cat on Tuesday night, they weren't able to rescue him because they weren't able to put a ladder up.

When crews from Malpas attended to the rescue yesterday afternoon, they managed to rescue the cat using a ladder and ropes.

Izzy's rescue attracted a lot of interest in The Cats of Torfaen Facebook group. Nine updates were posted about Izzy's rescue, with the update saying Izzy had been rescued sparking nearly 100 reactions.

Jacquie Johnson wrote: "There are so many of us that have been hoping and praying for the outcome, we all will sleep a lot easier tonight knowing this little fur baby is safe and sound in the arms of its owner.

"Well done everyone who have helped rescue him."