Jason Toon was told by neighbours in Littleover that they noticed the feline after hearing its distressed cries for help from a tree in St George V Park since Sunday (January 22).

But after three days in peril, on Wednesday evening the cat was scooped up by Toon after an “anxious” hour-long rescue. He said: "I saw a message on the Carlisle Against Crime Facebook page and there's no way I could have left it. Any animal in stress needs to be saved no matter what the danger."

Dawn Gee, founder of the Carlisle Against Crime (Littleover) community group, said: “We are celebrating the bravery of one of our members, Jason Toon, who went beyond the extra mile to rescue a cat who had been stranded in a tree in our park from Sunday to Wednesday.

“Many residents were distressed to hear the cat's cries for help, each day when walking the park. A cat has been stuck up a tree since Sunday. The fire brigade have been out twice and the RSPCA have also been out, but the cat just went higher.

“Tonight I got a call from builder Jason Toon who heard about the distressed cat. He walked with his ladders onto the park in the dark and we joined him with torches.

“His ladder was 40ft but he had to climb a further 10ft in the dark and spend over an hour to secure the cat. He dropped his backpack which he took to put the cat in and had to fasten it in his jacket to climb down.

“Thanks to everyone who spotted the lights and heard our cries of encouragement and joined us to ensure both the cat and Jason returned safely to ground. Well done, Jason, amazing work the family are thrilled to get their pet home safe.”