Lynda Masters thought she had finally found her missing cat when she heard scratching under the floorboards.

She was so convinced nine-year-old Mersom was under the bathroom in her holiday home in Esplanade Mews, Seaford, she called the fire brigade to help rescue him.

But after five firefighters spent half an hour trying to find the animal with thermal imaging equipment, they realised the sound was coming from neighbours grouting the bathroom next door.

Mrs Masters, from Hertfordshire, said: "I was at the house on Saturday morning when I heard the noise.

"But when I found out it was the neighbours, I was so embarrassed. The firemen were brilliant about it though and I made them all a cup of coffee."

Mersom has been missing since the beginning of January.

Mrs Masters, 39, said: "We came down for three weeks just before Christmas and brought our two cats with us. On January 4 we discovered he had gone missing.

"I have put posters up all over Seaford and even the firefighters said they had seen them.

"My eight-year-old son Lewis misses him and so does our other cat Holly, who is his mother. My son said he would give up his pocket money if it helped to get him back."

Mersom is chunky and black with white markings on his chin and chest.

Anyone who may have seen him can call Mrs Masters on 01279 425710.