Louie the tabby has been returned safely to his owners after being rescued by firefighters in Maldon - on International Cat Day.

Maldon Nub News reported yesterday how the large cat had managed to squeeze itself into a three-inch gap between two garages in Dorset Road, Maldon - and then got wedged halfway down.

Residents alerted Essex Fire and Rescue Service to Louie's distress after realising it had been unable to get out for up to 24 hours.

The service's Urban Search and Rescue Team rushed to help the tubby and carefully removed bricks from one of the garages to release him.

Louie (pictured here) was left in the care of the RSPCA and taken to a vet - and later released back into the care of his grateful owner after being declared fit and well.

Station Manager Scott Meekings, from the rescue team, said: "We carry a number of specialist tools for tricky rescues and the team worked carefully to cut a small hole in the garage to minimise the risk to the cat as well as damage to the garage.

"I'm really pleased we were able to rescue him unharmed."