Cat found in bin rescued by tip workers

Phantom is believed to be about one year old

A cat found in a hotel bin where he was believed to have been trapped for days was rescued by tip workers.

The black and white male was found at the Barrow waste plant inside a large commercial bin that had been used at The Swan Hotel in Newby Bridge, Cumbria.

They called Animal Welfare Furness who took the cat to a vet and are now looking after him.

Helen Kelly, from the charity, said: "It was really dark in there [and] it was really hot because the weather at the moment is so nice, it was really distressing to see."

The cat, which the rescue team have named Phantom because of his markings, is not microchipped and the charity is appealing for his owners to come forward.

They said they did not know how the cat came to be trapped in the bin, but they believed he could have been in there for about three days when he was found on Friday.

Phantom is doing well after a stay at the vet

Ms Kelly said Phantom spent the weekend at the veterinary surgery and he was doing well, although the impact of what happened was affecting him.

"He's a really nice cat but he's quite shy, he's obviously been through a really tough time," she said.

If no owner was found, the charity said it would look at rehoming Phantom.