A cat who was on his way to be recycled when workers of a West Lothian waste plant found him in a lorry-load of rubbish has been reunited with its owners

Alfie, a black-and-white tom, was covered in debris and dirt when staff at processors Scotwaste in Bathgate found him between the discarded ironing boards, old microwaves and worn-out sofas.

He was discovered after a lorry that had been carrying out house clearances in Kirknewton and East Calder tipped its load into the recycling shed and the cat tumbled out.

After freeing him from all the rubbish workers handed him over to animal welfare charity the Scottish SPCA, who had frantically been trying to track down the owners.

Luckily Mr and Mrs Cranston from Kirknewton in West Lothian, spotted Alfie's story in the news and contacted the charity immediately.

Mrs Cranston believes the cat might have jumped into a recycling lorry as the lorry was picking up an old mattress they had left outside

She said: "We had put an old mattress outside to be collected by the council and Alfie must have somehow sneaked out the front door, because he never normally goes out.

"We knew something was wrong when we all sat down for breakfast that morning and there was no sign of Alfie. He loves his food so he's always on time.

"We were so worried, and beginning to think that we'd never see him again when my husband spotted Alfie's picture in the paper. We're just delighted to have him home with us. He's in need of a bath, but he's still very scared at the moment, so we'll leave the shampoo and set until he's had a chance to settle in."

SSPCA ambulance driver Emma Phillips, who transported the cat to the Lamond Vet Clinic in Livingston to be checked over, said: "Cats are inquisitive creatures so he may have decided to explore the contents of the lorry, or it may be that he was hiding in there after being chased.

"We thought he had a possible leg injury, but the vets who examined him tell me that it's just a bit of bruising and he should be fine in a few days."

A spokeswoman for the SSPCA said it was not uncommon for cats to be found in rubbish stacks and lorries. She said: "They tend to get into the caged lorries and when it starts driving, they can't get out.

"This cat was discovered in the shed where the items were to be sorted out, so luckily he didn't come close to a crusher.

"The lorry didn't carry any specific items, but the cat was very dirty, so there must have been a lot of junk.

"We have rescued other animals from recycling plants and scrap heaps.

"Last year we rescued a litter of kittens which were found in a car that was about to be scrapped. A nest of baby birds had the same lucky escape."