AN animal rescue charity has taken in a young, black male cat found under the bonnet of a car.

The owner of the vehicle had driven it from Chatham in Kent to Horsham, and then down to Salvington near Worthing where she heard a pitiful meow and opened to bonnet to find the kitten underneath.

The frightened cat was taken to Grove Lodge vets in Worthing to be checked over, where staff named him Kevin after the character in the festive film Home Alone.

Worthing charity Wadars is now appealing for anyone who knows the identity of the kitten to come forward so he can be returned home for Christmas.

Operations manager Tracy Cadman said; “Kevin is a gorgeous little cat and I’m sure that someone is really missing him.

“It’s impossible to know for sure where he climbed into the car and so our search has to take place in the Chatham, Horsham, and Worthing areas.

“The sad thing is that if Kevin had been microchipped, he would have been back home with his owners by now.

“Whilst it is a legal requirement for dog owners to chip their pets from eight weeks of age, the same does not apply to cats, and it’s more often cats that go missing.”

Anyone who thinks they know the identity of the young feline should call Wadars animal rescue on 01903 247111. Proof of ownership will be required by anyone claiming to own the kitten.