A cat who is thought to have hitched a ride under a car bonnet from Barnsley to Wakefield emerged from the ordeal with just minor burns to her paws.

Now Cats Protection Leeds Cat Centre is hoping to unravel the mystery of how she came to make the hazardous 15-mile journey, and hopefully reunite her with an owner.

The black-and-white cat is believed to have climbed into the bonnet of a lady’s car when it was parked at her place of work at Barnsley College’s Honeywell site. The car owner only discovered the unexpected passenger the following day when her dog was going crazy around the vehicle.

On opening the bonnet, she found the cowering black-and-white moggy and took it to the Cats Protection centre in Gildersome for assistance.

Estimated to be around five years old, Matilda, as she has been named, has shown herself to be a friendly little cat but in dire need of some TLC.

Elizabeth Day, Deputy Centre Manager, said: “Matilda’s suffered minor burns on her paws from the heat of the car engine, but these have healed very quickly. She isn’t in the best condition, with runny eyes that need bathing and needing extensive dental treatment, which we were able to provide to alleviate her discomfort.

“We would love to get Matilda home but as she isn’t microchipped, and she has travelled so far, it is proving difficult to locate an owner. Anyone who thinks this may be their cat, or recognises her from around the college area, should get in touch and we can hopefully solve the mystery. If it turns out she is a stray, we will continue to care for her while she recovers before finding her a loving new home.”

To contact the centre about this cat email enquiries@gildersome.cats.org.uk or call 0300 012 1505. Proof of ownership will be required.