TRAFFIC came to a standstill on one of Bolton’s busiest roads, when an animal lover embarked on a mercy mission to rescue an injured kitten.

Jackie Gargan was at home when a neighbour sent her a text message to say he had spotted the animal on his way to work.

So Mrs Gargan sprung into action, grabbed a cat carrier and set off towards St Peter’s Way.

Mrs Gargan, aged 42, of Thornham Drive, Sharples, said: “I panicked because I know how busy that road is at that time of the morning. I dashed there as soon as I could. There is no way I could have left it.”

Neighbour Robert Greenwood sent the text when he saw the kitten as he travelled to work at 7am on Tuesday.

He tried to stop, but the weight of traffic meant it was not possible.

Mrs Gargan, an IT manager, stopped on the A666, near to the Raikes Lane turn-off, holding up traffic behind her.

She said: “I slowed down in the heavy traffic, put my hazards on and blocked the left lane while I went to rescue her.

“Luckily nobody beeped at me, I think they could see what I was doing.”

The grey cat, thought to be around six months old. had suffered a injury to its leg and tail and was taken to Pennine Vets in Tottington where staff agreed to open early to treat the animal.

Nicola Severs, head nurse at the surgery, said: “She is doing well, but is not out of the woods yet. We suspect the cat was attacked by a fox, rather than hit by a car.

There was no collar or microchip, so we don’t know where the cat is from.

“She will be going in to a foster home tomorrow.”

Mrs Gargan, who has two cats and 26 rabbits, has since been to see the injured kitten at the vets and said: “She has had a very lucky escape.”

Source: This is Lancashire