AN incredible cat from Droitwich is to go whisker to whisker with other felines after being shortlisted for a rescue award.

Ming Ming's journey started in Spain, when her current owner, Mary Leach, discovered her in a bin.

The cat, who was about six months old, was seriously injured.

"She looked a sorry sight," said Mrs Leach, who took her to a vet. "She was covered in cuts, had a broken tail and was also heavily pregnant.

"She must have been dumped because the rubbish bin was a large metal skip with a heavy lid so it would be impossible for the little cat to have got inside by herself."

Sadly, Ming Ming, a Siamese, was so frail she lost her kittens.

At the time of the rescue, Mrs Leach was planning to move back to the UK from Spain, but she was so devoted to her new feline friend, she delayed the move while she obtained a pet passport.

Now happily settled in Friar Street, Droitwich, four-year-old Ming Ming can put the dark days behind her and dream of winning the Most Incredible Story category of the Cats Protection Rescue Cat of the Year Awards 2006.

"She is such a special cat, I'm so pleased she's been shortlisted for an award," said Mrs Leach, aged 76.

"When I go out and the phone rings, she has a habit of dislodging it and miaowing, giving the caller a bit of a shock,"

"When I get home and see the phone off the hook I tell her off for phoning her friends in Spain."

Awards organiser, Julie Sharp, said Ming Ming's story was inspirational.

"It wasn't an easy task for us to shortlist the entries in this category - so many of the stories have been unbelievably heartrending," she said.

"Mary and Ming Ming met purely by chance and have made such a difference to each others lives."

Ming Ming is one of four cats shortlisted from about 400 entries for the awards, organised by the UK's leading feline welfare charity, Cats Protection. The awards ceremony will be on Thursday, July 6, in West Sussex.