THRUXTON cat Sam has been nominated for Cats Protection's Rescue Cat of the Year award for the way he has responded following mistreatment which caused him to go blind.

The tabby, who is aged about four, was taken to Strathmore Vets in Andover after being rescued by the fire brigade and the RSPCA when he was found in a perilous state in Roman Way. The cat was discovered hanging by his neck between a shed and a wall.

"He was in a pretty poor state when he was brought in but I said that if nobody claimed him I would take him and look after him as I have always liked tabby cats," said Mrs Sheila Hemsley, who works as a receptionist at Strathmore.

He wasn't claimed and was allowed home after about a month.

"He accepted the dogs and our other cat but we noticed he would spend a great deal of time hiding behind the settee and would bump into things," said Sheila. "He didn't want to go outside.

"We took him back to the vet and she said he had very, very little sight."

Vets believe his blindness was probably caused by the length of time he spent hanging by his neck.

"Now, a year on, he copes very well and hardly ever bumps into anything and will go into the garden through the cat flap," said Sheila.

The closing date for the competition is 15 November. Forms can be obtained from Cats Protection on 01403 221919.