A KITTEN had a lucky escape after being found clinging for its life underneath a car – all the way from France.

Retired couple Doug and Renee bliss, both 68, drove onto the ferry at St Malo in northern France one evening last month after a holiday.

Having travelled through the night, they docked in Hampshire 12 hours later.

Having gone through passport control, they left the port just before 8am and went onto the M27 and M3 before reaching the A34 and Sutton Scotney services.

Then, the couple realised they had an extra passenger.

Renee heard the meow of a cat, before discovering they had ferried a small kitten across the channel and into Hampshire.

Now named Malo, he was found clinging near the radiator of the couple’s car and is awaiting adoption near West End.

The kitten had boarded the car while it was on the deck of the ferry, stowing away overnight and for the four hour car journey when the couple entered the UK.

Renee said: “When we stopped at the services I couldn’t believe what I was hearing – meowing coming from the bonnet of the car, especially as we had just driven for almost an hour-and-a-half without stopping.”

Despite their best efforts, Renee and Doug and some bystanders couldn’t free Malo, and a mechanic had to be called.

They also couldn’t free the kitten, and so had to take the car to a garage workshop to free the furry feline after removing the front bumper.

Renee added: “When he was finally freed, the poor little thing looked terrified.

“He’s absolutely gorgeous, and if we didn’t already have two rescue cats of our own, we would have jumped at the chance to take him on ourselves.”

A nearby quarantine kennels held onto Malo for 21 days before he could be taken to Blue Cross in West End to be assessed and put up for rehoming.

Lara Alford, centre manager, said: “Little Malo is so lucky to be in good health!

“I’m told that the couple heard faint meowing along the way, but thought nothing of it.

“They drove all the way to Sutton Scotney for a pit stop where they heard it again.

“This time, they looked at the car and could see through the front grill, a kitten clinging on for its life.

“It’s such a scary journey for such a small animal.

“As soon as we met Malo we knew he’d be a wonderful addition to someone’s family.

“He’s had quite a journey to get here, so would love to find a loving home to settle down in and really be able to show his true colours.”

Anyone who would like more information on Malo can contact the centre on Bubb Lane on 0300 777 1530 or visit www.bluecross.org.uk.