A ginger cat is finally warm and dry after days living under a hedge.

It is unknown exactly how the grown-up moggy – nicknamed Livingstone – came to be living in the shrubbery between Debenham’s back door and the Civic Centre in Carlisle.

A concerned member of the public called the Blue Cross animal rescue charity last Monday, concerned for his welfare as there are major roads nearby and few residential properties.

Dedicated volunteers from the charity – joined by a local vet – spent the subsequent days attempting to tempt him with food so he could be caught.

Eventually they resorted to using a trap – a last resort – and yesterday managed to finally catch him.

A spokeswoman for the Blue Cross in Cumbria said: “He is now settled and safe, warm and comfortable – possibly for the first time in a long, long time.

“He is pretty healthy-looking externally, not a young cat looking at his eyes, and probably a bit of a challenge going forward but, hey, no cat should have to live cold and wet in bushes in a city centre.”

She praised the community effort in rescuing the feline and has promised to keep the public updated via the charity’s Facebook page – simply search The Blue Cross – Cumbria Foster Team.