A search has been launched for a one-eyed cat who was kidnapped when a thief mistook his cage for a holdall bag.

The five-year-old grey short-haired cat, called Masya, was being transported in a carry case near Lewes High Street when the attacker snatched it from two women looking after him.

Aleksandra Beli and her 16-year-old daughter Julia were walking with the cat in the bag in Irelands Lane at the junction with Western Road at about 11pm on Saturday when car started to follow them.

A man then approached them from behind and grabbed the carrier before running back down Irelands Lane and getting into a waiting car on Bradford Road.

In the struggle, the attacker got away with the bag and leapt into a waiting car.

Julia said the drama happened in a only a few seconds.

She thought she and her mother were targeted because the ornate beige and black carry case, similar to the Louis Vuitton print, looked like a holdall bag.

She said: “I obviously wasn’t expecting it. The carry bag looked like a holdall bag.

“I was told the bag was later found dumped at Hamsey level crossing but with no cat inside.

“Following the attack we cannot really walk properly.

“On my leg I have a huge bruise and I can’t stand fully on my foot.

“My mum got injured somehow, and she also can’t walk properly.

“Masya was part of the family so we are really worried about him, and he also needs help.”

Julia said it is important the moggy is found as he needs urgent medical attention.

She said they had originally rescued the cat which they took to the vet, after finding him with injuries.

They then tried to rehome him in Lewes but Masya could not stay there due to a “turf war” with another cat in the area.

On Saturday night, after collecting him, the women had planned to take him back to their home in Haywards Heath.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said they are investigating the kidnap. They described the attacker as white, late 20s to early 30s, 6ft and stocky.

He was wearing a black hooded top with white writing, baggy blue jeans and he had the hood up.

Miss Beli is also offering a reward for the safe return of the cat.