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Plymouth's newest celebrity cat is still yet to be rescued from the Royal Albert Bridge in Saltash after being trapped for SIX days.

Hatty Howden, a five-year-old Maine Coon-Serengeti cross went missing from her Saltash home on March 11.

Firefighters from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service spent around five hours of Wednesday [May 29], trying to coax Hatty out of a nook in one of the Brunel Bridge pillars.

Dreamies and fish were used in a bid to coax the cat out, but nothing was successful.

So far, Hatty's owner, Kirsty Howden, has spent the best part of ten hours down at the foot of the bridge waiting for her safe arrival, with help from RSPCA inspectors, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and National Rail.

Kirsty was "terrified" for the feline's welfare but now Hatty has been fed and watered and has even caught and killed a seagull whilst she has been stuck.

It is hoped that Hatty will be rescued tomorrow, on what will be day seven of the adventurous kitty's ordeal.

(Image: Penny Cross)

There are plans to close a section of the railway in the early hours of tomorrow morning so firefighters can carry out the rescue from the railway tracks.

The rescue has to be postponed until tomorrow to "minimise disruption" as many trains pass through the bridge.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The control room are in conversation with the fire service and RSPCA.

“Fire service need an hour to access Hatty from the track. We’ve offered a slot tomorrow morning to minimise disruption.”

Plymouth Live has been providing live updates and videographer, Erin Black, streamed live from the scene for over three hours with more than 900 people all watching at the same time.

(Image: Erin Black)

The RSPCA has also been involved in the rescue mission.

Earlier today, an RSPCA spokesperson said: “Our inspector has been liaising with Network Rail because of the proximity to the live railway.

“I understand the railway company will be taking a look at the situation and will be looking to see what action can be taken to help Hatty, with support from the RSPCA and fire and rescue service.”

Mother of three, Kirsty, was first alerted to Hatty's whereabouts on the bridge on Tuesday evening, after pictures of her were shared on Facebook.

She then went to search for Hatty with Plymouth pets lost & found Facebook admin, Dawn Lapthorn, who Kirsty said has been "fantastic".

(Image: Submitted)

Kirsty said: "She’s been missing for two weeks now, but she first started making noise on the bridge five days ago.

"I got a call from a friend who said someone was posting pictures of a cat stuck on the bridge which looks like Hatty.

"I’ve called her and she’s stuck her head up and cried."

Before the rescue mission was launched, local residents and passersby have even tried to "catapult" food up to the feline.

The fire service has been able to leave food on the ledge of the pillar.

We will be providing the latest updates in our dedicated Hatty blog, here.

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