Moggy Lily sprung to the rescue of 18-year-old Faye Talbott, who has suffered from a series of debilitating illnesses and has to use a feeding tube.

Lily leapt into action when she heard a malfunction alarm coming from the equipment and alerted Faye's mother Liz.

And the clever cat's actions were recognised on Wednesday (July 9) when she was awarded the Petplan Heroic Cat Award.

Faye said, "I have a machine which feeds me via a tube and when there is a problem with the machine an alarm is sounded.

"The first time she heard the alarm Lily went charging down the stairs and meowed at mum until she followed her up to my bedroom."

Mum Liz said, "I was in the kitchen when Lily came tearing in.

"I wondered what on earth was the matter as she stood there meowing and twittering at me as if she were trying to talk.

"Then she led me upstairs to Faye where I discovered her feeding tube was blocked.

"It wasn't a life-threatening situation but would have meant more pain for Faye. Lily has obviously developed a sense for when things are not right — she really is one in a million."

Sports-loving Faye, who lives in Eastbourne, was diagnosed with endometriosis aged 12. She has suffered a sequence of chronic illnesses that have left her virtually bed-ridden.

Faye developed gastroparesis, a debilitating condition that involves partial paralysis of the stomach, and this was followed by scoliosis and osteoporosis, which led to Faye requiring reconstructive surgery on her knee.

Liz said, "When Faye's health took a turn for the worse we agreed to buy a kitten as we thought it would be great company for her during times when she was too ill to leave her bedroom.

"We paid a visit to the Hailsham cat rescue centre and one kitten in particular stood out from the rest.

"She had been born at the rescue centre and the staff had nicknamed her Flash due to the distinctive copper flashes in her coat.

"Flash came home with us and was renamed Lily."

Faye said she felt a unique bond with Lily as soon as she brought her home.

She said, "When I'm at home Lily doesn't leave my side and sleeps on my bed most of the time.

"When I have to spend several weeks away from home in hospital having treatment, I take a picture of Lily with me that I keep next to my bed which gives people something to talk about other than my health."

The Heroic Cat Award, sponsored by animal health insurance provider Petplan, was created to mark the 50th anniversary of cat charity the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB).

Simon Wheeler, head of marketing for Petplan, said, "Faye and Lily's story is truly remarkable and a worthy winner of this special award.
"Many owners view their pets as an extension of the family and Faye is one of the few that also looks at Lily as her hero."