A FAT cat which gorged on snacks and takeaways while living on the streets of Bromsgrove has been rescued by the Blue Cross rehoming centre - and has now been placed on a strict diet to shed her hefty weight.

Stray cat Sandy, five, was taken to the Blue Cross centre on Wildmoor Lane in Catshill after she was found under a bush in Sanders Park.

When staff brought her in to weigh her, she came in at a hefty 7.05kg - over 15lb - classing her as heavily obese.

Laura Coveney, animal welfare supervisor at Blue Cross, said: “I haven’t seen a cat so overweight in a long time.

"While we don’t know how she became a stray or what she got up to during that time, it is likely she has been surviving on scraps of human food like takeaways.

"Because of her weight she has not been able to carry out normal cat behaviour like grooming and playing but we are aiming to get her back to her proper cat self in no time.”

Sandy has been given the biggest cat pen to stay in while preparing her for a new home.

Due to her huge size, she hasn’t been able to groom herself so needed some of her matted fur shaved off.

She also has dental problems because of her poor diet and further health problems due to her obesity.

The feline has been put on a special diet and is banned from any treats and snacks, to her get back to a healthy target weight of 5kg.

Once back fit, Sandy will be in need of a new home.

She isn't keen on other cats, with scratches on her ears showing evidence of scraps on the streets.

Potential owners must also have a strong willpower to resist her pleas for food, and help her exercise.

For information, visit bluecross.org.uk or call the centre on 0300 777 1460.