THE People's Dispensary for Sick Animals has helped avoid a CATastrophe for a Blackpool pet lover after his beloved puss swallowed a glass bead.

Owner Gerry Duffy said two-year-old Cheese underwent surgery at Blackpool's PDSA Veterinary Centre after swallowing the object which become lodged in her small intestine.

The shiny blue bead was the type used in a floating candle bowl. The operation took one hour.

Veterinary officer Andrea Westbourne said Cheese was very thin, dehydrated and lethargic when she was admitted to the centre.

She added: "The cat was very poorly when she arrived. She was given lots of fluids and rest during her stay. Foreign body syndrome is life threatening if left untreated and she's lucky to have pulled through".

Mr Duffy said: "I had been on holiday and when I returned I knew she was poorly. I was really surprised to find the cause of Cheese's illness.

"I would like to thank the PDSA for all their help.

"Cheese is back to her normal self now and is feeling fine and happy."

The Blackpool PDSA centre gives free treatment to animals and dealt with more than 23,000 cases last year.

The nationwide organisation is Britain's largest veterinary charity and relies entirely on public donations to maintain its services which last year cost in excess of £24.3 million.