An unlucky cat ended up losing one of its nine lives, and half an ear, when it hitched a free ride inside the engine of a moving car.

The cat, a female long-haired tortoiseshell tabby, is thought to have climbed into the engine compartment in Girlington and travelled a few hundred yards perched against the engine.

The driver stopped the car when she heard animal screams coming from the engine.

The cat suffered burns and bleeding, and was left with patches of fur missing. All the pads on its paws were burnt off, half of one ear was missing and it had a scar on its head.

It was rescued by staff at Morrisons in Girlington and is now at Bradford Cat Rescue in Allerton, which is run by Jenny Sampson, pictured with the lucky moggy. She is now trying to trace the cat's owner.

She said: "The woman driving the car got out to get some food from McDonald's opposite Morrisons.

"She got back in and after a while she heard screaming from the engine, so she stopped the car and saw the cat jump out and run off.

"She drove for a few hundred yards, round the McDonald's car park, along the road, and into Morrisons car park before the cat got out.

"She was only driving for a few minutes but the cat's injuries suggest that it could have been in the engine for longer than that.

"It must have climbed in there to get out of the cold. Cats sometimes climb into car engines because they are warm, dark places - but they usually get out when the car starts.

"Once the car got going, the heat and pressure of the fanbelt would have caused the cat's injuries. Her back was covered in oil

"The woman driving the car said there was fur all over the engine."

The cat ran towards Morrisons and staff managed to coax it into a box, before calling Jenny to pick it up.

Jenny took it straight to a vet's where it was treated for its injuries and shock.

"She was very distressed and shocked," said Jenny.

"She can't walk and is still in shock but I'm hopeful that she will slowly recover from her ordeal.

"She was wearing an old blue velvet flea collar so I think she must belong to someone.

"She's obviously very confused and we would like to reunite her with her owners as soon as possible."

Anyone with information about the cat is asked to ring Jenny on Bradford (01274) 487546.