A pet cat from Nottingham has survived after getting trapped in a washing machine and being washed at 60C.

Bobby, a Bengal crossbreed climbed into the machine for a sleep, but was woken as the wash began. Vets say he was very lucky to have survived the ordeal.

Lisa Keefe, from the Meadows in Nottingham said she immediately stopped the machine when she heard a loud thudding sound and found her beloved pet inside.

The nine-month-old cat was taken to Nottingham Pet Hospital on the verge of collapse and needed IV fluids to treat shock.

Lisa Keefe said Bobby is now very wary of going near the washing machine. Credit: PDSA/PA

Bobby has been known to climb into the washing machine, so I always try to keep the door shut and keep him away when adding a new load, and check inside before turning it on. Lisa Keefe, Bobby's owner

Vet Tamsin Thomas said:

Bobby is very lucky. In my 15 years as a vet I've never seen a case like this and certainly never heard of a cat surviving a washing machine cycle. Vet Tamsin Thomas

Bobby has now been nominated for a PDSA Pet Survivor award after the accident in June, with previous winners including Staffie Ziggy, of Hertfordshire, who was shot by a crossbow and cat Robbie, from Croydon, who suffered extensive burns following a fire.