FIREFIGHTERS rescued a cat after a three-hour ordeal trapped inside a metal storage container - but even after they managed to prise the door open, she still did not want to come out.

Seven-month-old Jessie, locked in by mistake by builders, had to be lured out with the promise of treats.

Owner Stuart Knowles of Hazel Court, Haswell, in east Durham, said when he arrived home to find Jessie missing, he searched for her and heard her mewing. He said: "I thought Jessie was stuck up a tree, but then I saw her nose sticking out of a gap at the bottom of the door of a big metal container left there by builders.

"She must have been locked in by mistake when they left.

"I dialled 999 and told them it was not an emergency, but asked if someone could come and rescue Jessie."

An appliance promptly arrived, but firefighters took a bit longer getting her out.

Mr Knowles said: "They couldn't cut the lock and decided to prise the door open.

"They managed to wedge a gap in the door, but Jessie was reluctant to come out."

Mr Knowles said that when the builders arrived for work yesterday, they had difficulty opening the door. They thought the container had been burgled, but were relieved when told that firefighters had wedged it open to free Jessie.