AN ANIMAL charity has said rescuing a cat stuck 25ft high in a bingo hall's ceiling are facing an "immensely difficult challenge."

The RSPCA is working on saving the feline from its current unfortunate home in Leo Leisure in Southampton's High Street - where it has been for around a week.

Animal welfare experts have put out food and traps to try and catch the cat, but have been unsuccessful.

As reported on Thursday, the animal was first spotted on Friday, February 3.

RSPCA inspector Karen Gregory said the task is proving very difficult.

READ MORE: Cat stuck in Leo Leisure ceiling for almost a week

She said: "We are doing everything we can to try and safely retrieve the cat from the roof at Leo Leisure.

"We have put food out and set traps to try and catch the cat, but it's proving to be an immensely difficult challenge.

"An additional struggle is that the cat is about 25 feet above us and in an exceptionally hard-to-reach place, which is making for a very tricky rescue indeed.  

"I am currently liaising with the fire service, a team of builders who are working onsite, and the building owner to try and coordinate a plan to get the cat down.

"Thankfully the cat seems to be moving about well, but is just very reluctant to come anywhere near us."

Members of the Cat Welfare Group have tried to help save the animal, as have firefighters and the RSPCA.

Leo Leisure manager Simon Philips previously told the Echo: "We thought it probably got in as we've got builders working around us.

"He was gone for a bit, but then on Sunday he was walking across the ceiling. 

"We thought maybe he was shut in by the builders, but on Monday he was still here. 

"I first called the fire bridgade, they told me I would need to contact the RSPCA.

"He's not easy to get to, it's high up and we can't reach him ourselves."

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was a matter for the RSPCA.

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