That's one of those nine lives gone! Hatty the cat ignores rescue drama to make her own way down from bridge

Emergency services teams, RSPCA officials and rail workers feared the worst when they took part in a failed rescue mission to coax a cat down from a bridge.

Five-year-old feline Hatty had been trapped for several days on the towering structure near Plymouth and time appeared to be running out.

But there was no need to worry, because Hatty the cat made its own way down after spending six days squeezed into the pillars of the bridge.

Hundreds of people followed rescue attempts on Facebook and were gripped by reports from the scene on PlymouthLive.

Rescue attempts were made to entice Hatty from the bridge ((Image: Penny Cross))

But it turned out the moggy made its escape unaided after the six-day stand-off - unaware of the drama it had caused.

The Maine Coon-Serengeti cross went missing from owner Kirsty Howden's home in Saltash, near Plymouth, some days ago.

Hatty became stuck on the Royal Albert Bridge, which connects Plymouth and Saltash, for several days and a major rescue operation swung into action.

Hatty eventually strolled in on her own ((Image: Kirsty Howden))

Fire crews, Network Rail and RSPCA inspectors worked together to try and attempt to get Hatty off of the bridge.

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.

But it seems that the five-year-old feline didn't need rescuing at all and wandered into her home without a care in the world on Thursday night.

Hatty during her vigil on the bridge (Submitted)

Kirsty Howden said she was "shocked and elated" that Hatty had returned on her own.

The mother-of-three was about to leave the house to meet Network Rail staff and RSPCA staff at 11.30pm to attempt another rescue before the vigil hit the seventh day.

But thankfully, Hatty managed to find her own way home.

Kirsty, 39, said: "I was sat responding to comments, heard a meow outside, had a look through the window and there she was!

All's well that ends well! ((Image: Kirsty Howden))

"She is a bit skinny and smelly, very vocal and has now headed upstairs and put herself to bed."

She said that Hatty appeared to seem very pleased to see her two dogs, and there was "kisses all round".

Kirsty has thanked everyone who helped in attempting to rescue Hatty, as well as everyone who offered support.

She said: "I'd like to thank Dawn for going above and beyond, Jim from the RSPCA for all his help, Saltash fire crew for all their efforts.

"I'd also like to thank the people who have followed Hatty's story and the community in Saltash for rallying around, especially the ones who tried so hard to help get Hatty home."