A cat which got stuck on an island in the middle of a lake in Wibsey Park sparked a dramatic rescue bid by fire crews.

Firefighters from Odsal used an inflatable walkway to get across to the kitty which had been stranded on the island for a week.

It took RSPCA inspectors more than an hour on Saturday afternoon to capture the black and white cat. But onlookers cheered as she was finally led to safety after being captured in a cage.

The RSPCA was alerted to the cat's dilemma after nearby residents heard its cries.

Odsal fire sub-officer David Ellershaw said: "It looks like the cat had wandered across to the island when the ice was frozen last weekend.

"But the ice melted and the cat became stranded. It's an unusual job and we certainly don't get many requests like this.

"The residents had noticed the cat in the week and had thrown it some food."

"They phoned the RSPCA when they saw it was still there at the weekend.

"It took us a while to catch her as she ran up a tree then dived off into the water - she certainly gave us a bit of a chase."

Trevor Lunness said they had heard the cat's cries all week.

"My wife and sons first spotted the cat a week ago on the island and when we saw it was still there, we were concerned.

"We threw it a tin of cat food to stop it from starving and phoned the RSPCA."

RSPCA Chief Inspector Derek Woodfield said: "The cat was very thin and cold but hopefully she's going to be OK.

"She was frightened and very hungry but we'll be getting her checked over by a vet.

"We were going to wade out to the island but we weren't sure how deep the water was and we couldn't get hold of a boat so the fire brigade came to the rescue.

"Now it's just a case of finding out whose cat it is."

The cat is being looked after by staff at the RSPCA in Mount Street, Bradford.

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