A FAST-ACTING scrap yard worker saved a pair of cute kittens that were just minutes from being crushed to death - after finding them trapped inside the engine of a Ford Mondeo.

Tommy Harper, 24, was working at the yard when he heard a hissing noise coming from the engine of a motor ready to be crushed and found the tiny grey and ginger tabbies.

He rang girlfriend Charlotte Drablow, 24, who dashed straight down to help him free the malnourished moggies that were trapped inside the engine with no hope of escape.

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After rescuing kitten, they took them to vets where they were treated for cat flu as they both had a fever, runny eyes and noses and they were dribbling and sneezing.

The couple have now adopted the felines, who they have christened Garfield and Oldie and are on the mend at their home in Wokingham, Berkshire.

Tommy said: "We crush hundreds of cars every day and line all of them up ready for the crusher.

"As I walked past the cars waiting to enter the crusher, I heard an unusual noise coming from one of the vehicles.

"I soon realised it was meowing and opened the bonnet of an old Ford Mondeo."

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"I could see a tiny grey tabby kitten and further down inside the engine was another ginger tabby kitten that was well and truly stuck.

"The grey kitten was really stressed and hissing a lot, I think he was trying to protect his mate."

The couple, who have one son, Hugo, 2, took the kittens to Harrison Family Vets in nearby Woodley so they could be checked over.

Vets diagnosed them with cat flu and gave them antibiotics, eye ointment and worm and flea treatments for free.

Charlotte said: "Both the kittens were tiny and looked really ill. One of the baby kittens was stuck deep inside the engine and the other refused to leave its side.

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"Both of the kittens were hissing at us as they were obviously very frightened.

"We looked everywhere to see if there were any other kittens in the other cars and hoped we might find the mum, but it was just the two of them."

Clinic director and vet Ana Bonache said: "Cat flu can be serious in kittens, and both had the tell-tale symptoms with a fever, runny eyes and noses and they were dribbling and sneezing too.

"We were keen to help Charlotte as she had saved Garfield and Odie from a terrible fate and was going to provide them with a loving, family home."

Charlotte, a psychology and criminology graduate, said: "Since we have brought them home, they've improved so much.

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"My nan has rescued cats for years and is a real expert, so she has guided us through the whole process, and they have put on weight and are feeling much better.

"They're still joined at the hip, but I think they have a bit of a crush on me now as they follow me all around the house.

"They are like a pair of little ducklings and treat me as their mum!"

ENDS