A young female cat is now counting her lives after being taped in a plastic tub with bricks and callously dumped in a small stream in remote countryside.

A young female cat is now counting her lives after being taped in a plastic tub with bricks and callously dumped in a small stream in remote countryside.

Volunteers at Feline Care Cat Rescue Centre in East Harling were horrified to receive a call about the cat, now safely in their care, and are desperately trying to find out who might have been responsible.

She was discovered by 11-year-old Jack Carter and his friend who were playing in fields near Old Buckenham when they heard distressed cries coming from a nearby stream and went to investigate.

They rushed to the water's edge where they could see the box caught on a submerged gate, and dragged the forlorn feline to safety.

Jack's mother, Kerre Carter, said she was very proud of her son who ran all the way home to tell her what had happened.

'Jack is an animal lover so I would expect no less from him. He would do anything for animals and I am very proud of him,' she said.

'He came running home and was really upset and crying, because he gets quite emotional when it comes to animals. They brought the cat back and we kept her in our annex kitchen overnight. I spoke to my vet and he gave me the number for the cat rescue. He said they are lovely people and will do everything they can.'

The family lives in Old Buckenham and Jack is a pupil at Eccles and Wilby Primary School.

The cat - a small tabby with ginger smudges on her face - has been named Jacky after her rescuer. She was wearing a pink flea collar with a bell but had no identity tag when found.

Molly Cutmore, Feline Care Manager, said: 'Jacky is so lucky the boys were out playing at the right time as I doubt there would have been any other passers by to rescue her. She is also especially lucky as the box had obviously not sunk as easily as intended because of the strong flow of the stream.

'Had the box not been swept downstream and got caught on the gate we would be telling a much sadder story.'

She added: 'I cannot imagine what could drive a person to be so intentionally cruel to such a gentle creature and we are all hoping that someone recognises the poor little girl so we can trace the person responsible.'

The cat was discovered at about 4.30pm on Thursday. It is likely to be from the local area as the remote land and stream would be unknown to a stranger.

Anyone who may have relevant information, or recognises the animal, is asked to contact Feline Care on 01953 718529. The charity is planning to forward details of the incident to the RSPCA.