A PET thought to have been killed when a digger half-demolished the house where it lived has been found alive.The petrified animal was spotted crouching amongst the wreckage of what used to be a first floor bedroom at about 2pm yesterday.

By Roddy Ashworth

A PET thought to have been killed when a digger half-demolished the house where it lived has been found alive.

The petrified animal was spotted crouching amongst the wreckage of what used to be a first floor bedroom at about 2pm yesterday.

The house suffered extensive damage when a mechanical digger hit it on Tuesday at a caravan park in Bradwell-on-Sea.

Despite being warned his house could collapse at any moment, Ashley's owner James Harvard leapt into action and scrambled across the pile of breeze blocks, splintered roof timbers and rubble to reach his beloved pet.

He managed to coax out the terrified seven-year-old pet, which is thought to have been hiding under

floorboards on the first floor.

Grabbing her by the scruff of the neck Mr Harvard, 47, beamed with joy at being reunited with his missing pet.

He said: “Nothing else matters anymore - we've got her back. She's certainly used up one of her nine lives.”

Hugging his grey pet, Mr Harvard said the lucky cat would be having a slap-up dinner after she had been checked over to ensure she was not injured in her ordeal.

n A 52-year-old man has been charged with a variety of offences in connection with the demolition.

Robert Taylor is accused of criminal damage with intent to endanger life, three counts of criminal damage in relation to three cars, affray, and assault of a police officer.

He was refused bail and will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court this morning.