A CAT found fighting for life behind a police station after being hit by a car has found a new home thanks to the Gazette.

Former policeman Brian O’Neill and his wife Jean read about Betsy’s terrible accident earlier this month.

The puss was left with a broken pelvis and maggot infested wounds after the incident in Colchester in June.

She was found curled up behind Colchester Police Station, in Southway, clinging on to life.

It is thought she may have been there for 24 to 48 hours before she was discovered.

Attempts to track down her owners proved unsuccessful and Colchester Cat Rescue was called in.

They helped pay for a £3,000 lifesaving operation and are now fundraising to pay off the bill.

Jo Foxley, manager at the centre, said: “We would like to say how grateful we are that Mr and Mrs O'Neill gave her a home and how nice it is that she'll have a home for Christmas.

“I'd like to say thank you to the Gazette as it was the newspaper report that the couple saw that resulted in her getting a new home.

“The funny thing is he used to be a policeman at the station where she was found but he's retired now.

“We'd also like to thank everyone who has donated money so far for her and would also like to thank everyone who has homed a cat and donated food, bedding etc throughout the year.”

Colchester Cat Rescue helps felines across the Colchester area and provides temporary and permanent homes to around 50-100 cats at any one time.

The charity is not government funded and rely heavily on fundraising and the generosity of kind donors.

To donate towards the cost of the operation go to mydonate.bt.com/charities/colchestercatrescueccr.