AN eight-week-old kitten had a lucky escape after climbing into a washing machine for a cat-nap.

When Jinny Troth put some washing in last Tuesday morning, she was unaware her little tabby Milo was asleep inside.

Ms Troth searched her Astwood Bank home for the kitten and was horrified when she realised he was inside the washing machine - nine minutes after turning it on.

She said: "We stopped the washer straight away and drained the water. Milo walked out but he couldn't open his eyes.

"We rushed him down to the vet and they didn't think he would survive."

But lucky Milo must have only eight lives left because he has since made a fill recovery.

Ms Troth said: "We would like to thank the vet, Charlotte Rogers, who helped Milo into the early hours, even though we didn't think he'd survive the night."

She added: "We found him trying to get in the dishwasher this morning. We're going to have to watch him very carefully."