Swadlincote Police rescued a flu-hit cat in Rosliston and made sure he recovered at a local vets.

Villagers spotted 'Eddie' in at the side of the road - and Swadlincote Safer Neighbourhood Team officers, aided by some locals, waded through stinging nettles to rescue him.

Eddie was in a bad way, with maggots and fleas 'hitching a ride'.

But now the cat is feeling better after being treated at Swadlincote Veterinary Centre

A post on the Swadlincote SNT Facebook page explained what happened: "You'd think saving cats from trees was a job for the fire service, and you'd be right. (We don't have a big ladder!)

"But we don't like to feel left out.

"When this poor little mite was spotted by residents in Rosliston last week, a couple of our patrolling officers were on hand to help.

"Armed with rubber gloves, ourselves and a couple of members of the Rosliston community wandered through stingers and hedgerows to grab him.

"Thanks to the team at Swadlincote Veterinary Surgery, who were quick to look after him, plus the villagers who noticed and helped us save him.

"Eddie is starting to get rid of the flu and is making good progress in a warm house with no maggots or fleas hitching a ride."